tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69864728846728662412017-09-07T19:03:14.627-05:00Touching "Base" with the BecksOur life and experiences as an Air Force couple and parents to our Pom, Mason.Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-78394936869985710932013-07-02T23:48:00.004-05:002013-07-03T00:01:28.304-05:00My Summer's Top 5 (So Far)It's really sad how out-of-date I've let the blog get over the summer break. It's been almost 3 months since my last post. I don't think I've ever gone more than about 5-6 weeks. &nbsp;Since our move, things have been such a whirlwind. I've been living in Tuscaloosa doing the school/single mom (Mason) thing and Chris has been doing his out-of-town military husband thing. &nbsp;I managed to squeeze in a couple of trips to San Antonio in the meanwhile, and we really had a blast there and would love to be stationed there permanently some time in the future. I really can't begin to catch up on everything that has happened over the past several months! I decided to just come up with the top few and share some pictures. I probably am not going to write very much because...let's be honest, once I get started, y'all know I can't stop, and no one has time for me to do a full recap of 3 months! Including me! The most exciting news I have is that Chris comes home on the Fourth of July and wee can begin moving into our new house on base next week... on our SECOND ANNIVERSARY! Sometimes it's so hard to believe that we have been married two whole years, and then sometimes it seems like we have been married forever because so much has happened in those two short years. I will save my contemplation on that for the next post. Here are the top 5 happenings (mostly from my perspective, since...well, since I'm the one who takes the pictures and writes the blog) over the past few months.<br /><br />1. Together time in San Antonio<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5l0tIFwuY8/UdOWRvkXQDI/AAAAAAAACqY/QEgY86xJCkQ/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5l0tIFwuY8/UdOWRvkXQDI/AAAAAAAACqY/QEgY86xJCkQ/s320/IMG_2051.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris never gets tired of being an athlete...here he is repping his squadron in SA on the volleyball team. &nbsp;They got second place in the whole league.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-er89uJrYo/UdOW5wYSy7I/AAAAAAAACuo/aOBaQp6xDKA/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-er89uJrYo/UdOW5wYSy7I/AAAAAAAACuo/aOBaQp6xDKA/s320/IMG_2181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at the Havana...wow, what an awesome night!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGiAN2i-Eq4/UdOW3q6UVMI/AAAAAAAACuU/Dn9eoYg0bAo/s1600/IMG_2179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGiAN2i-Eq4/UdOW3q6UVMI/AAAAAAAACuU/Dn9eoYg0bAo/s320/IMG_2179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Havana bar was underground and was pitch black but for all the red candles. &nbsp;And the bartender was the best in SA.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ_IDnka2XM/UdOW3xg4M8I/AAAAAAAACuY/QEioGOSlbRc/s1600/IMG_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ_IDnka2XM/UdOW3xg4M8I/AAAAAAAACuY/QEioGOSlbRc/s320/IMG_2157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a weekend trip to Austin and met up with Greg and Larke, who live in Houston</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzwdFWCntKM/UdOW11wd_HI/AAAAAAAACuE/pVFMmEkM8Is/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzwdFWCntKM/UdOW11wd_HI/AAAAAAAACuE/pVFMmEkM8Is/s320/IMG_2154.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorgous TX state capitol</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOiu9cISODc/UdOW4NQn7OI/AAAAAAAACuc/_Tvll9ItGKs/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOiu9cISODc/UdOW4NQn7OI/AAAAAAAACuc/_Tvll9ItGKs/s640/IMG_2163.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UT stadium</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t094zrgUvBA/UdOW0DJgKJI/AAAAAAAACts/zh28mRjTJKA/s699/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t094zrgUvBA/UdOW0DJgKJI/AAAAAAAACts/zh28mRjTJKA/s320/IMG_2153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason getting ready for fun in Austin!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQSa-Vn4uO8/UdOfL-ySSzI/AAAAAAAACvM/cZy6GaTaXD8/s1600/IMG_2143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQSa-Vn4uO8/UdOfL-ySSzI/AAAAAAAACvM/cZy6GaTaXD8/s320/IMG_2143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose head on the wall at the Menger Bar, which is the bar across the street from the Alamo where Teddy Roosevelt is said to have recruited his "Rough Riders". It's the same bar, pretty cool!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJPEMpTRsdA/UdOW1CjYjTI/AAAAAAAACt4/SWKGcTbIk3I/s1600/IMG_2146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJPEMpTRsdA/UdOW1CjYjTI/AAAAAAAACt4/SWKGcTbIk3I/s320/IMG_2146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Alamo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB3QsV3Ic1U/UdOW1D2Sc5I/AAAAAAAACt8/B07pgoQWt2c/s1600/IMG_2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB3QsV3Ic1U/UdOW1D2Sc5I/AAAAAAAACt8/B07pgoQWt2c/s320/IMG_2142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before drinks at Tower of the Americas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOH3NKFh6DE/UdOWyxMaIXI/AAAAAAAACtk/0sG93-zSt8k/s1600/IMG_2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOH3NKFh6DE/UdOWyxMaIXI/AAAAAAAACtk/0sG93-zSt8k/s320/IMG_2141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy hour at Tower of the Americas, which is basically like the space needle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--b52eyQn_dQ/UdOWxLqQG9I/AAAAAAAACtc/Pxtf0QKLj6Y/s1600/IMG_2137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--b52eyQn_dQ/UdOWxLqQG9I/AAAAAAAACtc/Pxtf0QKLj6Y/s320/IMG_2137.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of the Americas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8iP3sQnFeA/UdOWwfo8jwI/AAAAAAAACtU/rpgiGhytZzk/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8iP3sQnFeA/UdOWwfo8jwI/AAAAAAAACtU/rpgiGhytZzk/s320/IMG_2131.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at The Melting Pot...they had an amazing military special for Memorial Day week!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtLco6GEyYI/UdOWuj9REXI/AAAAAAAACtI/mWPP4wv9b24/s1600/IMG_2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtLco6GEyYI/UdOWuj9REXI/AAAAAAAACtI/mWPP4wv9b24/s320/IMG_2130.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We &lt;3 Melting Pot!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F_FZqGarfE/UdOWrNZSMoI/AAAAAAAACs0/9E26efhMspU/s917/IMG_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F_FZqGarfE/UdOWrNZSMoI/AAAAAAAACs0/9E26efhMspU/s320/IMG_2123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "War Damn America" T-shirts that we wore on Memorial Day. We thought these T-shirts were the best thing ever but I think we learned just to wear them closer to Alabama where people actually understand them. &nbsp;Someone came up to us and was like "What does War Damn America mean!?" I was like "We're &nbsp;patriotic, I promise! We're Auburn fans!" She totally didn't get it. Oh well. &nbsp;WDA.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9h8z9rM61jo/UdOWuybqwwI/AAAAAAAACtM/0c-p9gq4tm4/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9h8z9rM61jo/UdOWuybqwwI/AAAAAAAACtM/0c-p9gq4tm4/s320/IMG_2126.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corona-rita in the WDA t-shirt</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ6fgGqZ_84/UdOWuA1B-wI/AAAAAAAACtA/Ze-VYBrDLbc/s1600/IMG_2121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ6fgGqZ_84/UdOWuA1B-wI/AAAAAAAACtA/Ze-VYBrDLbc/s320/IMG_2121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Spent a day exploring the adorable town of Gruene, TX, about 20 miles away from SA. That's Gruene Hall, the oldest Dance Hall in TX.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dkqree83Zvo/UdOWpnpJ5WI/AAAAAAAACso/koYIKcKkyNc/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dkqree83Zvo/UdOWpnpJ5WI/AAAAAAAACso/koYIKcKkyNc/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winery in Gruene</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlToXExqQwc/UdOWph-iDDI/AAAAAAAACss/xCvDRF5_6KY/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlToXExqQwc/UdOWph-iDDI/AAAAAAAACss/xCvDRF5_6KY/s320/IMG_2113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Gruene Hall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mEAkYKgqPPw/UdOWk2xOMGI/AAAAAAAACsQ/OLr0iiHTtco/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mEAkYKgqPPw/UdOWk2xOMGI/AAAAAAAACsQ/OLr0iiHTtco/s320/IMG_2111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was packed!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-zYap3YypA/UdOWlJK0m0I/AAAAAAAACsM/MwKJM_FGyVU/s1482/IMG_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-zYap3YypA/UdOWlJK0m0I/AAAAAAAACsM/MwKJM_FGyVU/s320/IMG_2109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine tasting in Gruene</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxnoFML9M3A/UdOWlYg8euI/AAAAAAAACsU/LjwpJU39KQI/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxnoFML9M3A/UdOWlYg8euI/AAAAAAAACsU/LjwpJU39KQI/s320/IMG_2110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaque outside of Gruene Hall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yO0gSYHaz8g/UdOWab2cwMI/AAAAAAAACrQ/tyNHqJR6do8/s1600/IMG_2064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yO0gSYHaz8g/UdOWab2cwMI/AAAAAAAACrQ/tyNHqJR6do8/s320/IMG_2064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason and Chris waiting on lunch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vycEBRX35jY/UdOWUSnItAI/AAAAAAAACqs/eTxGNHF9ePU/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vycEBRX35jY/UdOWUSnItAI/AAAAAAAACqs/eTxGNHF9ePU/s320/IMG_2057.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Annual beer dinner menu at Blue Star Brewing Company</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nF6M4Kin68/UdOWXYi7orI/AAAAAAAACq8/CkpJT3SVnGI/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nF6M4Kin68/UdOWXYi7orI/AAAAAAAACq8/CkpJT3SVnGI/s320/IMG_2058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The name of the beer dinner was the "King's Feast", thus the special crowns...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6Sr9FIBw64/UdOWVQ1iHPI/AAAAAAAACq0/dIm-xmkS6BE/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6Sr9FIBw64/UdOWVQ1iHPI/AAAAAAAACq0/dIm-xmkS6BE/s320/IMG_2061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f85iNg7K4J4/UdOWZ5OeAXI/AAAAAAAACrE/m_zUpr54UxM/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f85iNg7K4J4/UdOWZ5OeAXI/AAAAAAAACrE/m_zUpr54UxM/s320/IMG_2063.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the beer dinner we walked down the street to this German place. It was like...a bar/restaurant/cultural center...with live German music...Chris got hungry and bought a Snickers, go figure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWD-fr8kmlM/UdOWTU_EjOI/AAAAAAAACqk/nx-a4Np3xa8/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWD-fr8kmlM/UdOWTU_EjOI/AAAAAAAACqk/nx-a4Np3xa8/s320/IMG_2053.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu for the wine dinner we had at Arcade Midtown...it was wonderful!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdMA2TPDJ8Q/UdOWR0cDSdI/AAAAAAAACqc/30Z8WtxFlM8/s1280/IMG_2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdMA2TPDJ8Q/UdOWR0cDSdI/AAAAAAAACqc/30Z8WtxFlM8/s320/IMG_2052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Arcade Midtown wine dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wz6J_IYzXDE/UdOWgi-i5XI/AAAAAAAACrw/KL9dqlo7ap8/s1600/IMG_2090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wz6J_IYzXDE/UdOWgi-i5XI/AAAAAAAACrw/KL9dqlo7ap8/s320/IMG_2090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tableside guacamole at Boudro's on the Riverwalk. &nbsp;Scott met us here this night and we all had dinner, it was fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A8X3LHL2fr0/UdOWd3zA7sI/AAAAAAAACrk/x--BcaSHrBM/s1600/IMG_2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A8X3LHL2fr0/UdOWd3zA7sI/AAAAAAAACrk/x--BcaSHrBM/s320/IMG_2092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of yummy soup with black beans and queso</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ClKKY53L8k/UdOWiaWbkGI/AAAAAAAACr8/RXSaACJLY6o/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ClKKY53L8k/UdOWiaWbkGI/AAAAAAAACr8/RXSaACJLY6o/s320/IMG_2094.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast I made for Chris and Scott</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBNqX63LdPg/UdOeFAeKI-I/AAAAAAAACu8/xFwwQCIYn5o/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBNqX63LdPg/UdOeFAeKI-I/AAAAAAAACu8/xFwwQCIYn5o/s320/IMG_2065.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the SA "Grand Tasting"...WOW what an awesome night! At least 60 wines for tasting, along with samples from all the top restaurants in SA...we were in heaven!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1H52rUbc_BE/UdOWdsTJUII/AAAAAAAACrg/CARk8gE_6uM/s1600/IMG_2068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1H52rUbc_BE/UdOWdsTJUII/AAAAAAAACrg/CARk8gE_6uM/s320/IMG_2068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the BBQ and Brew-fest...sort of like the Grand Tasting, but more casual...we got to try BBQ from all the most popular BBQ spots in town</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLuNBgDTNsM/UdOW6GuxJ6I/AAAAAAAACus/UQKSDyh5idE/s1600/IMG_2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLuNBgDTNsM/UdOW6GuxJ6I/AAAAAAAACus/UQKSDyh5idE/s400/IMG_2186.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner on my last night in SA...steak grilled on the "Old Smokey" that Chris bought while out there</td></tr></tbody></table>Some of my other favorite things in San Antonio were the AMAZING outlet malls (most of any city) and touring the Culinary Institute of America. But, obviously, our favorite thing about SA was experiencing all it had to offer in cuisine! Chris and I consider ourselves to be "foodies"...as much as possible for what our experience and budget allows...so SA was complete paradise! We tried all the top restaurants and bars and spent a whole week attending events put on by the SA Food and Wine festival (such as the tastings). &nbsp;Hopefully, I learned some things that can inspire me in the kitchen of our new house!<br /><br />2. Wedding festivities for Hannah, Lauren, and my sister and 3. Hannah's wedding!<br /><br />I have a shortage of pictures from these events, but many of my weekends since Chris has been gone have been filled with fun wedding events for my girlfriends! My sisters engagement party, showers AND bachelorette parties for both Hannah and Lauren, and Hannah's wedding took place over the last few months.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kI2z8teuI4/UdOh4dJvfqI/AAAAAAAACvc/-L2K4_eSffM/s1600/IMG_2209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kI2z8teuI4/UdOh4dJvfqI/AAAAAAAACvc/-L2K4_eSffM/s320/IMG_2209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Bachelorette Lauren at her party in Orange Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RrVN7tVnl_w/UdOh6FPn68I/AAAAAAAACvk/A5EXYjWV_O4/s1192/IMG_2213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RrVN7tVnl_w/UdOh6FPn68I/AAAAAAAACvk/A5EXYjWV_O4/s320/IMG_2213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to go out in Orange Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkomEz8wshI/UdOh6bm_jYI/AAAAAAAACvo/Aey_z5y4Tro/s1529/IMG_2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkomEz8wshI/UdOh6bm_jYI/AAAAAAAACvo/Aey_z5y4Tro/s320/IMG_2214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIEJp6RM_Lk/UdOnU_QJDdI/AAAAAAAACws/cPg-iMVxJvs/s1600/2013-07-02+23.22.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIEJp6RM_Lk/UdOnU_QJDdI/AAAAAAAACws/cPg-iMVxJvs/s320/2013-07-02+23.22.56.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren Emily threw Hannah a lingerie shower at her house in Atlanta...how CUTE are these cookies!!?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dax5F-sN37c/UdOl-DOOnYI/AAAAAAAACwc/5Av2ytsr-wI/s960/1062452_10151485227171088_903074060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dax5F-sN37c/UdOl-DOOnYI/AAAAAAAACwc/5Av2ytsr-wI/s320/1062452_10151485227171088_903074060_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding morning breakfast that I hosted for Hannah</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ShEAWQKIVs/UdOh7_0RWVI/AAAAAAAACv0/_hylQTyF1C8/s1600/IMG_2276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ShEAWQKIVs/UdOh7_0RWVI/AAAAAAAACv0/_hylQTyF1C8/s320/IMG_2276.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Bride Hannah on her wedding morning after breakfast!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bmt8z-Oe8wg/UdOh8f8fRYI/AAAAAAAACv8/gvPLTny8qNE/s1556/IMG_2282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bmt8z-Oe8wg/UdOh8f8fRYI/AAAAAAAACv8/gvPLTny8qNE/s320/IMG_2282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridesmaid selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6iE9yDgww1c/UdOh87Vk6NI/AAAAAAAACwE/QJHNjnPFhmg/s1600/IMG_2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6iE9yDgww1c/UdOh87Vk6NI/AAAAAAAACwE/QJHNjnPFhmg/s320/IMG_2285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missing Chris...that was the idea of this picture, if you can't tell haha</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mq9qOhITvAU/UdOh9vJ7NvI/AAAAAAAACwM/eWH_s92YTEU/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mq9qOhITvAU/UdOh9vJ7NvI/AAAAAAAACwM/eWH_s92YTEU/s320/IMG_2288.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank goodness I had another Beck to be my wedding date! Thanks again, Warren!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />4. Finishing my first year<br /><br />I defended my first year paper before the faculty and they passed me onto my second year of the Ph.D. progarm! Woo! Obviously I don't have pictures of this. &nbsp;So, instead I will share some other random pictures.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sl-F_MyUjw/UdOoR6yQ4YI/AAAAAAAACw8/5AuKwPR9-mo/s1600/IMG_2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sl-F_MyUjw/UdOoR6yQ4YI/AAAAAAAACw8/5AuKwPR9-mo/s320/IMG_2016.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made this!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vuc4jQ67mc/UdOoRccpamI/AAAAAAAACw4/BIPuhMIHp_4/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vuc4jQ67mc/UdOoRccpamI/AAAAAAAACw4/BIPuhMIHp_4/s320/IMG_2047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason riding on my classmate's boat in Lake Tuscaloosa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KVrXJ_99wQ/UdOoTQ9OUgI/AAAAAAAACxI/voAs1S0Eoyg/s1600/IMG_2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KVrXJ_99wQ/UdOoTQ9OUgI/AAAAAAAACxI/voAs1S0Eoyg/s320/IMG_2189.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My car tire about to be changed after discovering an hour into our trip to Lauren's bachelorette party that my tires were...NO GOOD anymore! Yay, glad I was in the mood to randomly spend a surprise $800 on tires, NOT! Oh well, as you can tell from this picture, it could have been WAY worse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzOGETZDgNc/UdOoT1s443I/AAAAAAAACxM/lYMJYrGohtY/s1600/IMG_2258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzOGETZDgNc/UdOoT1s443I/AAAAAAAACxM/lYMJYrGohtY/s320/IMG_2258.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason just being his cute self</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uNDkbByi0Q/UdOoVPSGowI/AAAAAAAACxU/VZ6I3SBrve4/s1600/IMG_2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uNDkbByi0Q/UdOoVPSGowI/AAAAAAAACxU/VZ6I3SBrve4/s320/IMG_2264.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren, Hannah, Jessica and I hanging out in Auburn the week of Hannah's wedding</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LunMxqWHMs0/UdOoXoA9I5I/AAAAAAAACxk/ON4-21xbtcU/s1600/IMG_2266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LunMxqWHMs0/UdOoXoA9I5I/AAAAAAAACxk/ON4-21xbtcU/s320/IMG_2266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for Football 2013!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lh4XRnVArpo/UdOoXE6EjdI/AAAAAAAACxg/pIZtDBfLf-I/s1600/IMG_2343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lh4XRnVArpo/UdOoXE6EjdI/AAAAAAAACxg/pIZtDBfLf-I/s320/IMG_2343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith and I at Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOn_noPPb0I/UdOobbE-lkI/AAAAAAAACxw/Hwn_dgcOIIM/s1600/IMG_2346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOn_noPPb0I/UdOobbE-lkI/AAAAAAAACxw/Hwn_dgcOIIM/s320/IMG_2346.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With friends from college at Avondale</td></tr></tbody></table><br />5. Getting ready for the new house<br /><br />Looking forward to our move and hoping I like the paint colors I chose for the new house! This time we are having it painted before we move in. &nbsp;I wasn't able to test out the colors. &nbsp;It's their policy to not let people into the houses before they move in! Not even to measure! But I got to see it because I had to show them where I wanted each color to go. &nbsp;Fingers crossed! Our new house is so much better than our old one! Here are some "before" pictures...can't wait to post the "afters", hopefully in a few weeks!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoBwFkONSGg/UdOp-LaNvYI/AAAAAAAACyE/rI8PLfeLskc/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HoBwFkONSGg/UdOp-LaNvYI/AAAAAAAACyE/rI8PLfeLskc/s320/IMG_2083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new house!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BofVjIJib9s/UdOp-ssMPNI/AAAAAAAACyI/tBEpiTWe9o0/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BofVjIJib9s/UdOp-ssMPNI/AAAAAAAACyI/tBEpiTWe9o0/s320/IMG_2084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We picked this one because we liked the tree in the backyard, and still plenty of room to throw the ball to Mason</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDw3JxdWNpA/UdOp_8pN-9I/AAAAAAAACyU/8hYQqSt6SJs/s1600/IMG_2308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDw3JxdWNpA/UdOp_8pN-9I/AAAAAAAACyU/8hYQqSt6SJs/s320/IMG_2308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kitchen with an ISLAND!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ak0og6tRRX8/UdOqBp-LPiI/AAAAAAAACyk/kFF1ezg2N0A/s1600/IMG_2310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ak0og6tRRX8/UdOqBp-LPiI/AAAAAAAACyk/kFF1ezg2N0A/s320/IMG_2310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining area where we hope to put the dining room suite given to us for our first anniversary by Chris' mom and Greg, Granny and Grandbob. &nbsp;Also going to buy a rug and give it some new paint...Actually, EVERYTHING in the house is getting new paint.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvBY_XSqvzc/UdOqCGEKBTI/AAAAAAAACyw/spBJUg8Gw48/s1600/IMG_2311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvBY_XSqvzc/UdOqCGEKBTI/AAAAAAAACyw/spBJUg8Gw48/s320/IMG_2311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kitchen and part of the dining area</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x2LOcD3Ae_A/UdOqDdTNDBI/AAAAAAAACy4/yN-lnIompEw/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x2LOcD3Ae_A/UdOqDdTNDBI/AAAAAAAACy4/yN-lnIompEw/s320/IMG_2312.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqmnsSJN8GE/UdOqDjK4M6I/AAAAAAAACzA/tY0KUMTDMbc/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqmnsSJN8GE/UdOqDjK4M6I/AAAAAAAACzA/tY0KUMTDMbc/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room and french doors that lead to screen porch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUh-0-7RL20/UdOqDwkRH4I/AAAAAAAACzE/GrnM1qhg5yU/s1600/IMG_2314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUh-0-7RL20/UdOqDwkRH4I/AAAAAAAACzE/GrnM1qhg5yU/s320/IMG_2314.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that door? That's a real pantry. &nbsp;So excited.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOEeC7HEabs/UdOqFFJnrlI/AAAAAAAACzQ/nyzsbeJV7IQ/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOEeC7HEabs/UdOqFFJnrlI/AAAAAAAACzQ/nyzsbeJV7IQ/s320/IMG_2315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry hall. &nbsp;I was going to paint this blue but I can't now because that big cutout was going to make everything look funny. &nbsp;Good thing I got to see the house instead of just telling them where to paint based on the floor plan!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztxGmQCDTaQ/UdOqF7lyjHI/AAAAAAAACzc/GuVOn_Cc0l4/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztxGmQCDTaQ/UdOqF7lyjHI/AAAAAAAACzc/GuVOn_Cc0l4/s320/IMG_2316.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry hall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUaGXcJOPDs/UdOqFyG1XfI/AAAAAAAACzY/bsbvM5F_Ojg/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUaGXcJOPDs/UdOqFyG1XfI/AAAAAAAACzY/bsbvM5F_Ojg/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 car garage...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1hJQEnHdIw/UdOqHuuHwFI/AAAAAAAACzw/kp-xZVKtqtw/s1600/IMG_2319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1hJQEnHdIw/UdOqHuuHwFI/AAAAAAAACzw/kp-xZVKtqtw/s320/IMG_2319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with storage space!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7jE8ndXQS-U/UdOqHybtVWI/AAAAAAAACz4/ijXWNb0ziIo/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7jE8ndXQS-U/UdOqHybtVWI/AAAAAAAACz4/ijXWNb0ziIo/s320/IMG_2320.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Study</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-i7iysPlZc/UdOqI_Epq_I/AAAAAAAAC0E/tUx97sUvFPo/s1600/IMG_2321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-i7iysPlZc/UdOqI_Epq_I/AAAAAAAAC0E/tUx97sUvFPo/s320/IMG_2321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest bedroom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGRZEXfJ4BY/UdOqIjmOSFI/AAAAAAAAC0A/Q3cRr7MdyBI/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGRZEXfJ4BY/UdOqIjmOSFI/AAAAAAAAC0A/Q3cRr7MdyBI/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master bedroom.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T50XZC70KZs/UdOqJG1xgwI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/fsEdWrgyi80/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T50XZC70KZs/UdOqJG1xgwI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/fsEdWrgyi80/s320/IMG_2323.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master bath...which is actually PART of the master bedroom!! And 2 sinks, yay!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0m1gzT3DgM/UdOr8AthZVI/AAAAAAAAC0g/hK_sO-leGiI/s1600/IMG_2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0m1gzT3DgM/UdOr8AthZVI/AAAAAAAAC0g/hK_sO-leGiI/s320/IMG_2325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screened porch</td></tr></tbody></table>The house also has a real laundry room (with a door!), &nbsp;a half bath in the downstairs, and a full guest bathroom. Those of you who have ever visited our old house can sense my excitement over such seemingly simple things as a door on the laundry room and a bathroom connected to our bedroom. I know this move, just like any move, will be stressful, but I can't wait to get in the new house so we can settle back in to our pre-SA life and start getting back in touch with our friends in Columbus. Also, I want to throw a party. &nbsp;So excited!<br /><br />Thanks for reading!Time to go to bed...first day of teaching my summer session is tomorrow. &nbsp;I guess that makes today my last "real" day of summer, even though I've been working on and off the whole time. &nbsp;Oh well, can't really complain about having time off in the summer! I tried not to be too lengthy and I'm also too tired after writing all this to proofread, so hopefully it makes sense. I won't go another 3 months without blogging....now that Chris is back, there will be way too much to share!<br /><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-65449555959847980742013-04-07T23:50:00.003-05:002013-04-08T19:50:56.965-05:00Wow. What an utterly ridiculous month March was. Where do I even begin? Last time I wrote, we had just found out that Chris' date to report to San Antonio was right around the corner and that we had but a matter of weeks to move out (technically, we could have had longer, but that would have meant me doing it by myself...um...no, thank you!) We got out in the nick of time, and boy, let me tell you, it was NOT fun. We were literally throwing things in garbage bags and onto the back of a trailer at 11PM the night before we had to be out. Meanwhile, March contained Chris' graduation from UPT, a shower and bachelorette party for Hannah, a trip to San Antonio, and lots more stuff. So, I guess I better get started! Blogging was on my weekend to-do list...it's 10:35 Sunday night already, but I'm determined to crank this thing out! I'm not even going to proof-read it! So here goes nothing!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80DaPs7sMaI/UWI9AHK3_mI/AAAAAAAACaw/Kc2TJd7FEBI/s1600/2013-03-08+18.49.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80DaPs7sMaI/UWI9AHK3_mI/AAAAAAAACaw/Kc2TJd7FEBI/s400/2013-03-08+18.49.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Last "nice" dinner in our first home! It was very bittersweet to move out. After this meal (which we set up with our card table and an old blanket on top, plastic utensils...oh yeah, it was the works), the house was too chaotic for me to cook.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_faCO7aO7V8/UWI9DvcDhXI/AAAAAAAACbA/AEbW1nGHyVk/s1600/2013-03-08+19.23.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_faCO7aO7V8/UWI9DvcDhXI/AAAAAAAACbA/AEbW1nGHyVk/s400/2013-03-08+19.23.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filet, brussel sprouts and stuffed peppers.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFelgvfreuU/UWI9BE7m0lI/AAAAAAAACa4/OB76AG1xw0E/s1600/2013-03-08+19.08.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFelgvfreuU/UWI9BE7m0lI/AAAAAAAACa4/OB76AG1xw0E/s400/2013-03-08+19.08.26.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to make it pretty with some things that hadn't been boxed up yet!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWny0i4ozYg/UWI9ERVrWHI/AAAAAAAACbI/WmwROCae94M/s1600/2013-03-09+14.43.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWny0i4ozYg/UWI9ERVrWHI/AAAAAAAACbI/WmwROCae94M/s400/2013-03-09+14.43.00.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lauren and I at the couple's shower we hosted for Hannah and Chase</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaDHBOmJk-A/UWI9FZPpq-I/AAAAAAAACbQ/4zwKVMq2Gac/s1600/392833_10101276092557151_1820211219_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaDHBOmJk-A/UWI9FZPpq-I/AAAAAAAACbQ/4zwKVMq2Gac/s400/392833_10101276092557151_1820211219_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Hannah's bridesmaids!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjfalDdbtws/UWI9HSTos5I/AAAAAAAACbY/1Z-aK69rmd0/s1600/2013-03-10+08.36.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjfalDdbtws/UWI9HSTos5I/AAAAAAAACbY/1Z-aK69rmd0/s320/2013-03-10+08.36.23.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason being cute at Chris' dad's house with Martin's old gargoyle statue</td></tr></tbody></table>March 15 was a HUGE day for us, since Chris graduated from UPT (undergraduate pilot training). I have never been prouder of my husband...it is such a huge accomplishment. &nbsp;I'm still having a hard time believing that pilot training is really over and we have entered the next phase of our Air Force life! The entire graduation production was really well put on. &nbsp;Everyone enjoyed it, everything was really nice and, honestly, way more fun than we thought it would be! Chris and I both thought it might be kind of a boring day full of ceremonies and serious stuff, but actually it was a lot of fun for everyone. <br /><div><br /></div><div>That Thursday night we had a family dinner at one of our favorite places, Anthony's, in West Point. &nbsp;I'm having a hard time tracking down any pictures from that night, but I know we took some, so if anyone has some, I'd love it if you could send them my way!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are pictures from the rest of the weekend:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFmbG17lhxo/UWJBEKodkXI/AAAAAAAACcM/Mnu2B-paCq0/s1600/149267_4014058689044_681523025_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFmbG17lhxo/UWJBEKodkXI/AAAAAAAACcM/Mnu2B-paCq0/s400/149267_4014058689044_681523025_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduation breakfast</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXu8pfwShJs/UWJBeEK1joI/AAAAAAAACeI/Vb6ufqoOTvk/s1600/2013-03-15+10.34.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXu8pfwShJs/UWJBeEK1joI/AAAAAAAACeI/Vb6ufqoOTvk/s400/2013-03-15+10.34.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduating!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--u5a8AF_BYk/UWJBMoiMlEI/AAAAAAAACdg/rUJ2zAdY60g/s1600/525363_4014058729045_613073239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--u5a8AF_BYk/UWJBMoiMlEI/AAAAAAAACdg/rUJ2zAdY60g/s320/525363_4014058729045_613073239_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djm8uuwOFi0/UWJBhbYsZPI/AAAAAAAACeY/2nJdU3NJM8U/s1600/2013-03-15+10.46.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djm8uuwOFi0/UWJBhbYsZPI/AAAAAAAACeY/2nJdU3NJM8U/s400/2013-03-15+10.46.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to get their wings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PEubX4Vbts/UWJBtCioc-I/AAAAAAAACfA/FfFCqdFblqw/s1600/2013-03-15+10.55.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PEubX4Vbts/UWJBtCioc-I/AAAAAAAACfA/FfFCqdFblqw/s400/2013-03-15+10.55.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Breaking the wings! Air Force tradition has it that the first set of wings is broken. &nbsp;One half stays with the pilot, the other half goes to someone else (Chris gave them to his brother). &nbsp;The aren't ever supposed to be brought back together until the pilot dies. &nbsp;Not exactly something that I want to think about, but I do love a good tradition, and this is an interesting one.&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQDHVr-20j4/UWJBvqOtuFI/AAAAAAAACfI/_X_f4sciEFI/s1600/2013-03-15+10.56.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQDHVr-20j4/UWJBvqOtuFI/AAAAAAAACfI/_X_f4sciEFI/s400/2013-03-15+10.56.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! He got them to break!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-id0od2dMvgQ/UWJA_QGfyWI/AAAAAAAACbs/dcd84KXKdfA/s1600/580464_10101270451656561_872273_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-id0od2dMvgQ/UWJA_QGfyWI/AAAAAAAACbs/dcd84KXKdfA/s400/580464_10101270451656561_872273_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the proud in-laws (my parents)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CHaqpzajKs/UWJBCz0Gd5I/AAAAAAAACcE/7wUrG5E_fT8/s1600/259851_4684207939520_947648347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CHaqpzajKs/UWJBCz0Gd5I/AAAAAAAACcE/7wUrG5E_fT8/s400/259851_4684207939520_947648347_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our Columbus BFFs, Jon and Autumn, who are headed to Southern California!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkJu4YVsuDs/UWJBEt4EqpI/AAAAAAAACcU/vW8PDnCv7S8/s1600/32601_4014058769046_1206958116_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkJu4YVsuDs/UWJBEt4EqpI/AAAAAAAACcU/vW8PDnCv7S8/s400/32601_4014058769046_1206958116_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud wife pinning the wings on my husband (tradition).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QrYzwPh_gtU/UWJBF5sCNDI/AAAAAAAACcc/ZajlemF3DYw/s1600/7368_4014059969076_418011649_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QrYzwPh_gtU/UWJBF5sCNDI/AAAAAAAACcc/ZajlemF3DYw/s400/7368_4014059969076_418011649_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Warren and Liz</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--YuAFh5pap4/UWJBK7vtplI/AAAAAAAACdM/ZVnM6rlV9z0/s1600/525307_4014059929075_1569276518_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--YuAFh5pap4/UWJBK7vtplI/AAAAAAAACdM/ZVnM6rlV9z0/s400/525307_4014059929075_1569276518_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris with Tammy and Greg</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmTrawV_ZuQ/UWJBLrQojeI/AAAAAAAACdY/a47fR8-lf_I/s1600/529980_4014059209057_35560025_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmTrawV_ZuQ/UWJBLrQojeI/AAAAAAAACdY/a47fR8-lf_I/s400/529980_4014059209057_35560025_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beck Boys</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OO-s-z7J11g/UWJCZN_uOrI/AAAAAAAACgQ/URoLpOUv-s8/s1600/2013-03-15+11.22.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OO-s-z7J11g/UWJCZN_uOrI/AAAAAAAACgQ/URoLpOUv-s8/s400/2013-03-15+11.22.00.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Alicia and Ralph</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wV_S_wPXzO4/UWJCljHs7hI/AAAAAAAACgw/DEnVB6Bj494/s1600/2013-03-15+11.28.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wV_S_wPXzO4/UWJCljHs7hI/AAAAAAAACgw/DEnVB6Bj494/s320/2013-03-15+11.28.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three amigos/three sisters, Chris, Jon, and Ralph...BFF forever! Haha</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next is the "red carpet" part of the day, when we all get to go get a first-hand glimpse of what Chris and his classmates had been doing for the past 13 months. &nbsp;This was interesting to me because I hear him talk about stuff like the simulators ("sims"), but never get to see them. I also got to meet some of Chris' future co-workers, the other IPs in the T-1 group.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jHJBvv1z-Y/UWJBAnroSQI/AAAAAAAACb0/Zo5KFgv_h1E/s1600/71958_4629092974603_13213618_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jHJBvv1z-Y/UWJBAnroSQI/AAAAAAAACb0/Zo5KFgv_h1E/s400/71958_4629092974603_13213618_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris teaching me how to fly the T-1 in a sim. &nbsp;It's crazy how realistic these things are!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZdn8Kt3ruI/UWJBIJf6BQI/AAAAAAAACc0/BztXz3Il4To/s1600/483473_4014137291009_263484121_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZdn8Kt3ruI/UWJBIJf6BQI/AAAAAAAACc0/BztXz3Il4To/s400/483473_4014137291009_263484121_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warren flying the sim</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ncaG3wyiSc/UWJBHqlyxjI/AAAAAAAACcs/phou3-iT1Wo/s1600/564722_4014136250983_604259074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ncaG3wyiSc/UWJBHqlyxjI/AAAAAAAACcs/phou3-iT1Wo/s400/564722_4014136250983_604259074_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and I with the T-1</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFxRFFi2i-s/UWJBJAt4PyI/AAAAAAAACc8/hkfniQQYK_U/s1600/644252_4014136931000_2044734126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFxRFFi2i-s/UWJBJAt4PyI/AAAAAAAACc8/hkfniQQYK_U/s400/644252_4014136931000_2044734126_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris giving us a tour of the T-1</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Next, we had a little time to rest and freshen up (except for the wives, who had to decorate for the reception). &nbsp;The dinner/party/reception at the club was a chance to dress up, which of course I was very excited about!&nbsp;</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tfc5Wiji33w/UWJBJ-9TanI/AAAAAAAACoQ/UFnZSIot8YI/s1600/425113_4014060089079_1694492046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tfc5Wiji33w/UWJBJ-9TanI/AAAAAAAACoQ/UFnZSIot8YI/s400/425113_4014060089079_1694492046_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right before the reception, Chris gave warren the other half of his wings from earlier that day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiKwFmom6dk/UWJBOIp5B9I/AAAAAAAACdo/sSmjS_Bxmlg/s1600/803950_10101268686658631_1681752446_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiKwFmom6dk/UWJBOIp5B9I/AAAAAAAACdo/sSmjS_Bxmlg/s400/803950_10101268686658631_1681752446_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only picture we got together, unfortunately!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oM9QX-QfJM/UWJBG8CDReI/AAAAAAAACoI/pHEC_AYYxe0/s1600/579569_4014060689094_206366219_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oM9QX-QfJM/UWJBG8CDReI/AAAAAAAACoI/pHEC_AYYxe0/s320/579569_4014060689094_206366219_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group during cocktail hour</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feSH_BpJFtM/UWJDHj6X-xI/AAAAAAAACiA/X8XMGcvIYrc/s1600/2013-03-15+20.48.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feSH_BpJFtM/UWJDHj6X-xI/AAAAAAAACiA/X8XMGcvIYrc/s320/2013-03-15+20.48.55.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a toast!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dC5bULG6-c0/UWJDW-w_ywI/AAAAAAAACio/FUUlzJW0P34/s1600/2013-03-15+20.49.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dC5bULG6-c0/UWJDW-w_ywI/AAAAAAAACio/FUUlzJW0P34/s640/2013-03-15+20.49.45.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris' class doing something...geez, I forgot what it is now, haha. Apparently , something to do with drinking.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSnJPhe_Tng/UWJDcf_wbPI/AAAAAAAACjA/wxNl2ROYyww/s1600/2013-03-15+22.03.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSnJPhe_Tng/UWJDcf_wbPI/AAAAAAAACjA/wxNl2ROYyww/s400/2013-03-15+22.03.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75TUI3FH3TM/UWJDpduphcI/AAAAAAAACjo/68I527oXuMA/s1600/2013-03-15+23.54.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75TUI3FH3TM/UWJDpduphcI/AAAAAAAACjo/68I527oXuMA/s400/2013-03-15+23.54.46.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Sr. stayed with us for the long haul...we closed out the club!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Autumn and I threw a brunch the next morning for family and friends. The weather was wonderful and everything was great. &nbsp;Thank goodness we planned for it to be at her house because our house was a wreck at this point!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YmyPLIWkhkY/UWJEDOw1LJI/AAAAAAAACkY/17Os6Ypw-4g/s1600/2013-03-16+11.08.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YmyPLIWkhkY/UWJEDOw1LJI/AAAAAAAACkY/17Os6Ypw-4g/s400/2013-03-16+11.08.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffet...there's some of our homemade wine. &nbsp;It wasn't quite ready but we had it anyway! Too tempting not to!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1JOBeiy70M/UWJEJsMo5lI/AAAAAAAACkg/qHHuEQ9_Bpc/s1600/2013-03-16+11.09.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1JOBeiy70M/UWJEJsMo5lI/AAAAAAAACkg/qHHuEQ9_Bpc/s400/2013-03-16+11.09.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nE6GJ7GiUOQ/UWJENRYUEoI/AAAAAAAACko/30isAHC4rV0/s1600/2013-03-16+11.11.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nE6GJ7GiUOQ/UWJENRYUEoI/AAAAAAAACko/30isAHC4rV0/s400/2013-03-16+11.11.19.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centerpieces (you can tell it's windy!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After graduation, we barely had time to breathe before we had to finish packing and get out of the house. &nbsp;Man, it was quick! I had Hannah's bachelorette party in New Orleans the following weekend, which just so happened to be on the way between Columbus and San Antonio. &nbsp;Chris and I decided to spend some time there together pre-bachelorette party, then Chris continued on to San Antonio and I stayed in NOLA with the girlfriends.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DB-8XkctVLQ/UWJEQdCmM8I/AAAAAAAACkw/4idpC1u5LTY/s1600/2013-03-22+17.29.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DB-8XkctVLQ/UWJEQdCmM8I/AAAAAAAACkw/4idpC1u5LTY/s400/2013-03-22+17.29.33.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Jackson square</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TU9dz8URg0I/UWJEVCUyscI/AAAAAAAACk4/NEMziXyxfi0/s1600/2013-03-22+18.14.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TU9dz8URg0I/UWJEVCUyscI/AAAAAAAACk4/NEMziXyxfi0/s400/2013-03-22+18.14.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Jackson Brewery</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORMp3Acfk70/UWJEeX_Ri5I/AAAAAAAAClQ/NzuRfGEc3ZE/s1600/2013-03-22+20.37.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORMp3Acfk70/UWJEeX_Ri5I/AAAAAAAAClQ/NzuRfGEc3ZE/s400/2013-03-22+20.37.06.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Cafe Amelie, &nbsp;which, by the way...may have been the best meal I've EVER had at a restaurant</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDuk1QDUm-Q/UWJEjmLcuAI/AAAAAAAAClg/k7zDPezoYN4/s1600/2013-03-22+22.09.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDuk1QDUm-Q/UWJEjmLcuAI/AAAAAAAAClg/k7zDPezoYN4/s400/2013-03-22+22.09.23.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't go to NOLA without getting a hand grenade!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ls42cg0Ips/UWJEl-_PAhI/AAAAAAAAClo/C1UeQe5if00/s1600/2013-03-22+22.34.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ls42cg0Ips/UWJEl-_PAhI/AAAAAAAAClo/C1UeQe5if00/s400/2013-03-22+22.34.01.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris posing with some Jazz statues...or maybe Blues...I don't really know, haha</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Again, I have a bit of a photo gap for the Bachelorette party! If any of the participants have any good pictures to share on the blog, I'd love for you to send them over!</div><div><br /></div><div>After I left New Orleans, I flew to San Antonio for a few days to spend the rest of my spring break there with Chris. &nbsp;I can't say enough good things about San Antonio and the base there! The base is SUPER nice. Waaaay different than Columbus, which actually is a nice base, but is very small.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rVbF9srnTk/UWJE_ii9p9I/AAAAAAAACmY/ZCa4JX5G_ug/s1600/2013-03-28+09.20.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rVbF9srnTk/UWJE_ii9p9I/AAAAAAAACmY/ZCa4JX5G_ug/s400/2013-03-28+09.20.31.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This and the following pictures will mean a lot more to our Air Force friends and those who have visited us at Columbus. &nbsp;This is their&nbsp;commissary...I mean, there is NO comparison to the one in Columbus! This thing was at LEAST as nice as Publix!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RPyjWbWfbA/UWJFDTdMRZI/AAAAAAAACmg/EvIyU2Cd85g/s1600/2013-03-28+10.20.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RPyjWbWfbA/UWJFDTdMRZI/AAAAAAAACmg/EvIyU2Cd85g/s400/2013-03-28+10.20.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If our BX in Columbus is a Dollar General, then this is a Target. And this isn't even the whole thing. &nbsp;The annex sells furniture and outdoor stuff.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ArnFAra4ZF0/UWJFEQlq2gI/AAAAAAAACmo/NOyfZyULoqs/s1600/2013-03-28+10.21.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ArnFAra4ZF0/UWJFEQlq2gI/AAAAAAAACmo/NOyfZyULoqs/s400/2013-03-28+10.21.28.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just the building you see when you drive on base. &nbsp;I'm not sure what's inside, but it makes quite the statement.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkc5aKy-_rE/UWJFHMrnN6I/AAAAAAAACmw/C-A_1wlH95s/s1600/2013-03-28+10.22.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkc5aKy-_rE/UWJFHMrnN6I/AAAAAAAACmw/C-A_1wlH95s/s400/2013-03-28+10.22.21.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the church on base where we attended church on Easter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8OI2D0s6lw/UWJFOP-8AtI/AAAAAAAACm4/kQpYY8DFkGo/s1600/2013-03-31+09.34.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8OI2D0s6lw/UWJFOP-8AtI/AAAAAAAACm4/kQpYY8DFkGo/s400/2013-03-31+09.34.46.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and I at Easter Brunch at the Officer's Club after church</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYhD6hzHs8g/UWJFP93yzUI/AAAAAAAACnA/Cey3Apybz7M/s1600/2013-03-31+09.35.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYhD6hzHs8g/UWJFP93yzUI/AAAAAAAACnA/Cey3Apybz7M/s400/2013-03-31+09.35.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQjlJJ2Tq50/UWJFZ4Sj1SI/AAAAAAAACnQ/7bMpWGq73-4/s1600/2013-03-31+09.42.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQjlJJ2Tq50/UWJFZ4Sj1SI/AAAAAAAACnQ/7bMpWGq73-4/s400/2013-03-31+09.42.07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umm, yeah...this is a little fancier than our club at Columbus! And the buffet was incredible! Carving stations, fresh sea food, fondue, and about a million different salads...I was in heaven.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BcrLaDXy7o/UWJFaTVKizI/AAAAAAAACnY/PWEk4i_nCSE/s1600/2013-03-31+09.42.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BcrLaDXy7o/UWJFaTVKizI/AAAAAAAACnY/PWEk4i_nCSE/s400/2013-03-31+09.42.18.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest, my trip out there could have been a bit better. &nbsp;It was good, but between Chris and I, we were REALLY sick for a total of about 3 days. We had plans to go to Sea World and couldn't make it. Also, the forecast said the weather would be a lot warmer when I packed, but something happened and I didn't have ANY appropriate clothes for the weather. But, as you can see from the pictures, I still got to do some exploring when I wasn't sick. &nbsp;I can't wait to go out there for 5 weeks this summer. &nbsp;Obviously, I can't wait to be reunited with hubby, who I miss &nbsp;ton already! In addition, the shopping out there is incredible, there's so many restaurants and festivals and places to go and things to do...I didn't realize San Antonio was the 8th largest city in the U.S. &nbsp;The traffic there is crazy! I am excited about going back.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Chris is in the academic stage of his IP training right now, but will be flying by the time I get out there again, on May 13. &nbsp;He just moved into an apartment yesterday where he will stay for the rest of the time. &nbsp;Mason is flying out there with me as carry-on (you can do that with small dogs!). &nbsp;It's definitely going to be an adventure to spend more time out there. &nbsp;And hopefully we won't get sick again!</div><div><br /></div><div>A few more pictures to share before I sign out and get to bed.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HR0mKlNv8w/UWJFbeOp5tI/AAAAAAAACng/lnDiyEhI2ao/s1600/2013-03-31+20.43.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HR0mKlNv8w/UWJFbeOp5tI/AAAAAAAACng/lnDiyEhI2ao/s400/2013-03-31+20.43.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On my flight back from San Antonio, my flight was delayed for over an hour..bummer! But, then, I got a tour of the cockpit...awesome!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhPgY_x3eVU/UWJFg0NOHMI/AAAAAAAACno/u_Dcwkhh1mY/s1600/2013-04-06+13.40.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhPgY_x3eVU/UWJFg0NOHMI/AAAAAAAACno/u_Dcwkhh1mY/s400/2013-04-06+13.40.28.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This past weekend, I went to a fundraiser at Avondale Brewery with Meredith. &nbsp;We got matching outfits for the dogs because...well, because obviously our dogs love to wear matching clothes! Mason's had a bow tie on the back!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvfA30vFdnA/UWJFmdoKA3I/AAAAAAAACnw/qbOBONE7rpI/s1600/2013-04-06+13.40.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvfA30vFdnA/UWJFmdoKA3I/AAAAAAAACnw/qbOBONE7rpI/s400/2013-04-06+13.40.46.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNtus5eNH18/UWJFpP6qWZI/AAAAAAAACn4/655prFrSZec/s1600/2013-04-06+14.05.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNtus5eNH18/UWJFpP6qWZI/AAAAAAAACn4/655prFrSZec/s400/2013-04-06+14.05.45.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I decided I needed a kangaroo pack for Mason. &nbsp;Apparently , I have no shame anymore! Anyway, it was on sale and Mason loved it, so I would say it was a good investment.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_cly_gUrEc/UWJFqjdCHaI/AAAAAAAACoA/mL6f3BOZUok/s1600/2013-04-06+15.33.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_cly_gUrEc/UWJFqjdCHaI/AAAAAAAACoA/mL6f3BOZUok/s320/2013-04-06+15.33.49.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating his bone.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOF9JJHxwqk/UWJFXKqIf7I/AAAAAAAACnI/0sMRsERN3tU/s1600/2013-03-31+09.37.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOF9JJHxwqk/UWJFXKqIf7I/AAAAAAAACnI/0sMRsERN3tU/s400/2013-03-31+09.37.14.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith took care of Mason while I was in New Orleans and San Antonio and sent me this picture of him with her dog, Noodle, on Easter. You can tell Mason LOVES wearing that egg!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqHaAZ1Klc0/UWJDAdjfrPI/AAAAAAAACho/SI5O_VJVoMw/s1600/2013-03-15+16.06.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqHaAZ1Klc0/UWJDAdjfrPI/AAAAAAAACho/SI5O_VJVoMw/s400/2013-03-15+16.06.32.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason's got his wings, too!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div>Alright, that's it for now! As you can tell, &nbsp;March was incredibly busy, so no wonder I didn't get a chance to post again! I'm officially on the countdown for the end of school. &nbsp;I'm headed back to Auburn this weekend for my sister's engagement party, then I will just be living and working here in Tuscaloosa until school ends in a few more weeks! It could not get here fast enough, since I'm ready to get back out to San Antonio! Warren and Jessica graduate at the first of May, then there's Mother's Day and Lauren's shower..then I'm jet-set again. &nbsp;Whew! I love all the chaos, I don't know why. &nbsp;Thanks for reading!</div><div><br /></div><div>Amanda</div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-10904352367769361672013-03-03T17:41:00.001-06:002013-03-03T22:17:26.775-06:00We're Moving On! Update!! For those of you who haven't' heard, Chris got his first choice at assignment last week! We will be staying here in Columbus while Chris is an&nbsp;instructor&nbsp;pilot for the T-1. &nbsp;Although sometimes we get a little jealous that we won't be going somewhere new, exciting, and fabulous like some of Chris' classmates, we know that staying here for another 3 years will be a step in the right direction for both of our careers. &nbsp;I, of course, will be able to finish my Ph.D. and Chris will get lots and lots of hours in a multi-engine plane, which will be good for his career if he ever decides to move to airlines after we leave the Air Force, and he will get lots and lots of instructor hours, which is really good for an Air Force career. &nbsp;Even though we really are kind of ready to leave, the good thing is that we get another few years near our family and friends. &nbsp;Chris will probably get deployed once while we are here, but it will be nothing like when he is fully operational. Most Air Force pilots are gone for either deployments or overseas missions 2/3 of the year, so this is really a blessing that we are excited about and plan to take advantage of!<br /><br />A bit of a damper on our excitement came when Chris got his orders (his official dates) on Thursday and we found out that he is leaving for his instructor pilot training in San Antonio, TX, the week after his graduation on March 15. &nbsp;We were shocked when we found this out, since it is VERY rare for anyone to leave Columbus that soon after graduation. &nbsp;Usually FAIPs (first assignment instructor pilots) leave sooner after training ends than other people, so we expected we would be moving soon...perhaps, sometime in April? No, we are moving out of our house on March 16. We also have to move ourselves because, technically, we could stay in our house since we are still assigned to Columbus. &nbsp;However, for those of you who haven't seen our house, it is really small and we are basically busting at the seams here. &nbsp;The way that military housing allowance works is that it increases every time you get promoted. &nbsp;Since Chris is getting promoted to First Lieutenant in May and will be a Captain by the time we leave, if we stayed here we would effectively be paying an additional $500 a month just to live in the same tiny house. That just doesn't make much sense.<br /><br />The plan is for us to move most of our stuff to the condo in Tuscaloosa, and some of the really big stuff to a storage unit, until Chris gets back from training. &nbsp;He is scheduled to finish instructor pilot training in July but will still have about 6 more weeks of training in Washington and Pensacola. I will live in Tuscaloosa until the end of the school year, and then I will spend most of May and June in San Antonio with Chris. I am so excited because San Antonio is going to be a blast!! There is so much to do and see there. &nbsp;It is a very artistic town. &nbsp;I have been doing all this research about it and I kind of wish we were moving there, haha. &nbsp;Anyway, in July I will be teaching, so I will be here. &nbsp;In the summer I only have to teach a couple of hours a day so I will have enough free time to travel between Tuscaloosa and Columbus and move into our new house. &nbsp;That is the plan for now!<br /><br />When Chris is at training (it's called PIT, which I'm guessing stands for something like "Pilot Instructor Training"), he probably won't have to do much at first. &nbsp;The first stage of training is re-learning how to fly the T-1s since some of the instructors have been flying different planes and may need some refreshing. Since Chris just finished T-1 training, he won't have to do a whole lot in that part. &nbsp;That's around the time I will be out there, so hopefully we will be able to have lots of fun together!<br /><br />Moving is so bittersweet. &nbsp;I know we have outgrown this house...let's face it, we'd outgrown it before we even moved in. &nbsp;Technically, we never even should have had to move into these houses in the first place (we kind of got stuck in these small ones because none of the bigger ones were available when we moved in and we didn't want to have to wait). &nbsp;But we've had a lot of excellent times here, we've really gotten to be at home here and are actually kind of attached to it at this point. &nbsp;I remember when we first moved in and finally got it all decorated, when Chris said something like "One day, we are going to look back at this crappy little house and really miss it!" &nbsp;I knew he was right when he said it. &nbsp;However, as we get all our stuff packed, we are finding that we are also really excited about moving to a new place, that will also become "home" to us, and excited about starting a new assignment and a new chapter. Most of our friends are leaving, too, but that's the nature of the military and we are excited to have some people we can visit in some cool places (Jon and Autumn are headed to a base in California right between San Diego and L.A....jealous!) and to make new friends.<br /><br />Okay, I could keep going about everything that's been going on, but I have to be honest...I am up to my eyeballs in bubble wrap and cardboard boxes right now, so I should probably just post the assignment night stuff and get back to packing! Since I'm gone during the week, we have a LOT do to during the weekend. &nbsp;It's a little&nbsp;intimidating&nbsp; &nbsp;A little stressful. &nbsp;I'm freaking out. &nbsp;A little. &nbsp;But it seems like we've kind of gotten a lot accomplished this weekend. &nbsp;Poor Chris will have to take the reigns by himself during the week if we have any hope of getting it all done. <br /><br />First, I'd like to post a couple of videos from Assignment Night. &nbsp;The first video is the class assignment night video. &nbsp;This is something every class makes to be played for the audience at the assignment night before the class walks in. It's just kind of a fun tradition, because they are always really funny and creative. &nbsp;I think 13-06's video was no exception!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1cPp4xGDRHQ?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br />Next, I have a video of Chris' actual assignment. &nbsp;Before watching it, I should probably explain that assignment night is NOT this super dignified "ceremony" where people find out the fate of their Air Force career. It's more like a party where everyone gets made fun of before finding out the fate of their Air Force career. &nbsp;Everyone gets "roasted" before they find out their assignment, and usually they make fun of how "bad" they are, etc...so don't actually think that anything they said about Chris is true! Or about me, haha! It's all just supposed to be funny. &nbsp;I just wanted to clarify, because the first assignment night I went to, I turned to Chris and said "That's so mean that they are talking about what an&nbsp;awful&nbsp;pilot he is in front of his wife and all his friends and everyone!" It took a little while to realize that they were joking and that it's all in good fun. Anyway, here is Chris' assignment!<br /> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7GZ6SqMjIM8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Here are some other pictures from that night.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKG4tvIt9Io/UTPALCM46ZI/AAAAAAAACYA/U4vgiwqTNqY/s1600/IMG_5949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKG4tvIt9Io/UTPALCM46ZI/AAAAAAAACYA/U4vgiwqTNqY/s400/IMG_5949.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn and I before the assignment night started. &nbsp;I already decided to grow out my bangs...they were fun while they lasted but kind of annoying and hard to make look right!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IxPOTF4LxA/UTPAL8kTljI/AAAAAAAACYI/pKPWhjcQRXw/s1600/IMG_6042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IxPOTF4LxA/UTPAL8kTljI/AAAAAAAACYI/pKPWhjcQRXw/s640/IMG_6042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris' slide that they showed while doing his roast. Glad our 2006 prom picture made it, haha... Yogi is his call sign. It has to do with an incident at a state park that I would rather not re-hash at this time!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2HFQyJ-36g/UTPAOzH-nKI/AAAAAAAACYQ/a9j1BME1rrs/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2HFQyJ-36g/UTPAOzH-nKI/AAAAAAAACYQ/a9j1BME1rrs/s640/IMG_5955.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the wives/girlfriends/fiances of the 13-06 guys!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3XigQpTJN8/UTPAWQTJn8I/AAAAAAAACYY/h_fX8JHofeU/s1600/IMG_6043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3XigQpTJN8/UTPAWQTJn8I/AAAAAAAACYY/h_fX8JHofeU/s400/IMG_6043.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris taking his roast like a man</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxePveeEZU4/UTPAWseVCHI/AAAAAAAACYc/1Xvs6xLAHvg/s1600/IMG_6048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxePveeEZU4/UTPAWseVCHI/AAAAAAAACYc/1Xvs6xLAHvg/s400/IMG_6048.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super excited when I found out that Chris got his first choice!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNJgm_qQGW8/UTPAfLzE-7I/AAAAAAAACYo/O0jyaXAmo0M/s1600/IMG_6049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNJgm_qQGW8/UTPAfLzE-7I/AAAAAAAACYo/O0jyaXAmo0M/s400/IMG_6049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whenever someone gets FAIP'd, all the other instructors come up and shake his hand, etc...also, someone slaps his new patch on him. &nbsp;They must have slapped it on there pretty hard, because his arm was sore the next day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-moPQqArRMDU/UTPAjMtwxiI/AAAAAAAACYw/vATL6iKb2yA/s1600/IMG_6050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-moPQqArRMDU/UTPAjMtwxiI/AAAAAAAACYw/vATL6iKb2yA/s400/IMG_6050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bl_7w0NEAM0/UTPAnaWdGpI/AAAAAAAACY4/L1gpo8LdtE0/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bl_7w0NEAM0/UTPAnaWdGpI/AAAAAAAACY4/L1gpo8LdtE0/s400/IMG_6051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congratulating him!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nzOhlZv7qc/UTPAo_w6LeI/AAAAAAAACZA/IT5rSzg4leQ/s1600/IMG_6053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nzOhlZv7qc/UTPAo_w6LeI/AAAAAAAACZA/IT5rSzg4leQ/s400/IMG_6053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFNrFhupVrQ/UTPEevPDtMI/AAAAAAAACZI/q3W3StBMJFg/s1600/photo+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFNrFhupVrQ/UTPEevPDtMI/AAAAAAAACZI/q3W3StBMJFg/s400/photo+(2).jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris' new IP patch</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Besides finding out that we are basically moving ASAP, we really haven't had a lot going on since assignment night. &nbsp;Once we realized that we would probably not get the chance to entertain in our house again, we decided to have one last dinner event. &nbsp;We decided it was a fine-china, crystal, and silver type event since we know we will be packing all of our things and won't get to see them for several months.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uYsxFDaZnP8/UTPEmjvefiI/AAAAAAAACZQ/sT_TojmVzrI/s1600/photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uYsxFDaZnP8/UTPEmjvefiI/AAAAAAAACZQ/sT_TojmVzrI/s400/photo+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />So here is our table right before dinner...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MD8D68kEgYU/UTPFzGNy9GI/AAAAAAAACZY/QQo76ni05Sc/s1600/photo+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MD8D68kEgYU/UTPFzGNy9GI/AAAAAAAACZY/QQo76ni05Sc/s640/photo+(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And here it is 24 hours later...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28mXJFsNrk/UTPG9npxr0I/AAAAAAAACZs/TIGuIAD_zH4/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28mXJFsNrk/UTPG9npxr0I/AAAAAAAACZs/TIGuIAD_zH4/s400/photo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly, we have a ways to go, but progress is being made. Mason has been no help, except to life our spirits! Haha</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here are a couple of other pictures from the past week or so. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m__lqgAWWBI/UTPG5nzmp8I/AAAAAAAACZg/CFu18InxmNc/s1600/photo+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m__lqgAWWBI/UTPG5nzmp8I/AAAAAAAACZg/CFu18InxmNc/s400/photo+(6).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our celebratory dinner last Sunday night</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nKioSD4qWc/UTPHBFI9XOI/AAAAAAAACZw/HvP4HHP2iqM/s1600/photo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nKioSD4qWc/UTPHBFI9XOI/AAAAAAAACZw/HvP4HHP2iqM/s320/photo7.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason, Stuart, and Dubs, entranced by the Oscars.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>Well, that's it! I've managed to kill an hour of time that I should have been packing! They are repaving one of the runways, so Chris has had to go to the regional airport to help drive people back and forth from Columbus. &nbsp;Training doesn't usually take place on Sundays, but it is today for some reason.<br /><br />One thing that I didn't mention is that the sequestration kicked in this week. &nbsp;Chris got an email saying that all training would likely stop for at least a month, so there is a good chance this will delay his PIT training and make it last even longer. &nbsp;Also, all the training here in Columbus will likely stop. &nbsp;I'm sure the terrorists are really excited to know that the US is going to completely stop training because we would rather cut military funding than the million other wasteful and ridiculous programs that our government funds. Fortunately, I am so busy with everything we have going on that I haven't had time to seethe over this...not yet, anyway!<br /><br />Thanks for reading! :)Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-72514823140646907402013-02-18T10:47:00.000-06:002013-02-18T10:58:55.000-06:004 Days 'Til Assignment!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjhTPyK4Lb0/USJdvwlkjDI/AAAAAAAACXw/o7_kCYg6pKM/s1600/2013-02-18+10.01.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjhTPyK4Lb0/USJdvwlkjDI/AAAAAAAACXw/o7_kCYg6pKM/s1600/2013-02-18+10.01.16.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">We get our assignment in 4 days!! Ahh! It's a little hard to explain how it feels to know you may have some MAJOR changes coming your way in a matter of weeks, but to have hardly a clue as to what the changes could be. &nbsp;We had to put our preferences in for our next assignment last week. &nbsp;Of course, we put FAIPing at the top of our wish list...T-1s first and T-6s second...since it would be ideal for Chris to remain in Columbus with my being in school Then, we had to rank everything else that was given to us in the "drop list", which is the list of planes and bases that the government is assigning to Chris' class. After FAIPing, we requested C-17s to Charleston and McCord (Seattle), followed by KC-135s in Tampa. Followed by our other 25ish choices. Hopefully we will wind up with #1 or 2, and we feel pretty good about our chances, but we will know for sure </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">on Friday Night</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">. If we do get our first choice, it's possible that we will have to start packing our things immediately. &nbsp;Chris could be at training for his assigned plane as early as April. Which means I will have to move to Tuscaloosa. We will have to store our stuff until he's done with about 6 months of training, then we will move to a newer (bigger, nicer...etc..) house. All very exciting, but a little stressful to have it all up in the air like this! We will know much more after getting the assignment. &nbsp;Of course,we will keep y'all updated. But please keep your fingers crossed that Chris will be able to stay here in Columbus! We will have some tough times ahead if he has to move, since I will be in school another 3 years. But we shall worry about crossing that bridge if we come to it!</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">The past few weeks seem like quite a blur. &nbsp;Since my last post we have been living in anticipation of assignment night. I had a few rough weeks at school with lots of projects and tests. Here are some pictures of what we have been up to.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmeZ90Ju2_g/USJSW1ZPWYI/AAAAAAAACU4/tEqDeabTyIU/s1600/2013-01-20+18.32.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmeZ90Ju2_g/USJSW1ZPWYI/AAAAAAAACU4/tEqDeabTyIU/s400/2013-01-20+18.32.57.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a dinner party...as you can see, I am short on winter placemats! From now on , I buy 8 place mats! Sometimes you just gotta improvise. We had Jon and Autumn, Jenni and Kevin, and our new friends Amanda and Paul.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DChmJvBTT_0/USJVYRCwtqI/AAAAAAAACW4/TUglrMyAloY/s1600/2013-01-20+19.05.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DChmJvBTT_0/USJVYRCwtqI/AAAAAAAACW4/TUglrMyAloY/s400/2013-01-20+19.05.27.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VsLmRhksBBs/USJVcAqlJcI/AAAAAAAACXQ/GtNFjmAlkag/s1600/2013-01-20+19.05.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VsLmRhksBBs/USJVcAqlJcI/AAAAAAAACXQ/GtNFjmAlkag/s400/2013-01-20+19.05.36.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehyf8Wcc9Yk/USJVaC8rx1I/AAAAAAAACXA/Ki_rkXFjz7o/s1600/2013-01-20+18.57.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehyf8Wcc9Yk/USJVaC8rx1I/AAAAAAAACXA/Ki_rkXFjz7o/s400/2013-01-20+18.57.01.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJQ5YqMq0g4/USJVajl2umI/AAAAAAAACXI/0jRova0rCtc/s1600/2013-01-20+19.00.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJQ5YqMq0g4/USJVajl2umI/AAAAAAAACXI/0jRova0rCtc/s400/2013-01-20+19.00.10.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a salad with fried okra and a homemade scallion dressing, macaroni with spinach and artichokes, and apple/squash stuffed barbeque chicken</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOa1mZM5W4o/USJVddTnNBI/AAAAAAAACXY/38VFc_VOz04/s1600/2013-01-20+20.17.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOa1mZM5W4o/USJVddTnNBI/AAAAAAAACXY/38VFc_VOz04/s400/2013-01-20+20.17.30.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For dessert, Japanese cheesecake with some of Jenni and Kevin's homemade wine. &nbsp;Yum!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwl5q5nzxEQ/USJSWPLBJbI/AAAAAAAACUw/vYAdIjvie2Y/s1600/2013-01-20+21.48.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwl5q5nzxEQ/USJSWPLBJbI/AAAAAAAACUw/vYAdIjvie2Y/s400/2013-01-20+21.48.26.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-dinner activity: starting a fire!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W14NE6I6c60/USJS7X7v6bI/AAAAAAAACVo/rS1frNLHKWA/s1600/2013-02-10+18.27.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W14NE6I6c60/USJS7X7v6bI/AAAAAAAACVo/rS1frNLHKWA/s400/2013-02-10+18.27.30.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once February set in...it was time to decorate for V-day! I don't think I will be putting up &nbsp;St. Patty's day decorations this year...I think we may be packing by the time it gets here, so no use in unpacking decorations just to repack them before the holiday gets here! I guess this will be my last holiday themed decor in our house! Kind of bitter sweet!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WyxZQamoFA/USJS87RFcKI/AAAAAAAACV4/ubH0VDPR5rA/s1600/2013-02-10+18.27.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WyxZQamoFA/USJS87RFcKI/AAAAAAAACV4/ubH0VDPR5rA/s400/2013-02-10+18.27.38.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fidBeaDZF44/USJSb65VmII/AAAAAAAACVA/NejIDwJOg9Q/s1600/2013-01-27+19.07.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fidBeaDZF44/USJSb65VmII/AAAAAAAACVA/NejIDwJOg9Q/s400/2013-01-27+19.07.29.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had an amazing meal at Anthony's one night...seafood stuffed peppers. &nbsp;I decided to try to recreate them, and they turned out well!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrSJCzRVGRw/USJSoawFypI/AAAAAAAACVI/p9cnd-joIEc/s1600/2013-01-27+19.07.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrSJCzRVGRw/USJSoawFypI/AAAAAAAACVI/p9cnd-joIEc/s400/2013-01-27+19.07.34.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVxgcwbPKa0/USJVgskFBII/AAAAAAAACXg/aot6Z5utJ1Q/s1600/2013-02-14+22.11.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVxgcwbPKa0/USJVgskFBII/AAAAAAAACXg/aot6Z5utJ1Q/s400/2013-02-14+22.11.59.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise! I got bangs! Here we are at our Valentine's dinner at Epiphany's in Tuscaloosa. They had an awesome prix fixe , 4 course menu of fresh, local foods. Chris came into town to celebrate with me since I had school stuff to do the next day. &nbsp; I had my bangs chopped an hour beforehand...I think I like them! I just kind of did it on a whim because bangs are really trendy and I though I might want to try them out now so that I could grow them back out in time for all the weddings I'm supposed to be in! But they are fun and I'm glad that I decided to try them out!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c26gJMa1ngA/USJTxsFJ3FI/AAAAAAAACWY/NI61stzcQKM/s1600/2013-02-15+23.38.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c26gJMa1ngA/USJTxsFJ3FI/AAAAAAAACWY/NI61stzcQKM/s400/2013-02-15+23.38.55.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out listening to a band in Columbus Friday night</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wauy4M1cvHU/USJU1s0x5_I/AAAAAAAACWo/Vgen5gmJcJ0/s1600/2013-02-15+23.38.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wauy4M1cvHU/USJU1s0x5_I/AAAAAAAACWo/Vgen5gmJcJ0/s400/2013-02-15+23.38.32.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Amanda and Paul</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FfSnX2Rbh90/USJTGgZt-fI/AAAAAAAACWA/rACtAj4iX6I/s1600/2013-02-18+10.01.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FfSnX2Rbh90/USJTGgZt-fI/AAAAAAAACWA/rACtAj4iX6I/s400/2013-02-18+10.01.11.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been very Pinerest-y lately! I made this plaque-type thing with a copy of an old picture &nbsp;I got over the break of Chris' dad as a baby in a boat with his mom (Chris' Nana) and Aunt Bette. I just loved that old picture, so I decided to incorporate it into our decor.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmkEaNdjGdU/USJS8mPr-2I/AAAAAAAACVw/YIqG8p1Sero/s1600/2013-02-10+18.29.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmkEaNdjGdU/USJS8mPr-2I/AAAAAAAACVw/YIqG8p1Sero/s400/2013-02-10+18.29.31.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't get this rotate the right way, but this is just another one of the plaques I did . &nbsp;I made a picture of our proposal look old fashioned by printing it in sepia, then I burned the edges before modge-podging it to the plaque. I haven't done anything with it yet, I think I'm going to save it for the new house.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFao77YGQ2w/USJTJIUzvYI/AAAAAAAACWQ/tyl6GT7-I-s/s1600/2013-02-10+18.31.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFao77YGQ2w/USJTJIUzvYI/AAAAAAAACWQ/tyl6GT7-I-s/s320/2013-02-10+18.31.28.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just something fun and easy I saw on Pinterest that I wanted to try. &nbsp;I put hearts in all the places &nbsp;in these states that are meaningful to us. &nbsp;In California, a heart in Napa where we got engaged, a heart in Auburn, and a heart in Columbus.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">The sign at the top of this blog, with the chalkboard and "days until..." in the middle, was also a Pinterest project that was really fun! I have a few more that I hope to get around to soon.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-498dRYG-sA0/USJSuen5-7I/AAAAAAAACVg/JJFQCSdC29Y/s1600/2013-02-08+09.56.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-498dRYG-sA0/USJSuen5-7I/AAAAAAAACVg/JJFQCSdC29Y/s400/2013-02-08+09.56.40.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys in the class make posters to advertise for assignment night...this is one poster they made with Chris' likeness on it. &nbsp;I thought it was pretty funny.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HN_d2Gom6-0/USJSshufO6I/AAAAAAAACVY/7tGKoej3lKU/s1600/2013-02-08+09.56.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HN_d2Gom6-0/USJSshufO6I/AAAAAAAACVY/7tGKoej3lKU/s400/2013-02-08+09.56.35.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is another one they made. &nbsp;They hang these around the squadron . &nbsp;That flag is a &nbsp;patch that the FAIPs wear. Usually it says "FAIP Mafia" but they changed it for the poster.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gDxzYsIY08/USJSqCUb7QI/AAAAAAAACVQ/aLqQt1g1Q7g/s1600/2013-01-28+11.58.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gDxzYsIY08/USJSqCUb7QI/AAAAAAAACVQ/aLqQt1g1Q7g/s400/2013-01-28+11.58.34.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just Mason being cute...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZPXsRn99Uk/USJU5pMjO5I/AAAAAAAACWw/_gl0FPkVtb4/s1600/2013-01-26+17.57.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZPXsRn99Uk/USJU5pMjO5I/AAAAAAAACWw/_gl0FPkVtb4/s400/2013-01-26+17.57.54.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with our new outdoor heater!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">I haven't taken as many pictures as I should have. I will try to do better for the next post, since I probably will have a lot more to share.&nbsp;</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);"><span style="color: #262626;">Chris is doing his last few flights these days. It's all downhill from here, as the class rankings probably won't change much from here on out. We are getting ready for his&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6986472884672866241">March 15</a><span style="color: #262626;">&nbsp;graduation. We are very much looking forward to him getting his wings!&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);">Not much to report for me. I've been much busier this semester, with a much more demanding workload. I pretty much work without stopping during the week so that on the weekends, I can spend some quality time with Chris and Mason. I am very much anticipating getting the militaty's plans for us so that I can make some decisions about how I will spend the summer.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);">I just wanted to post this quick update, since I think the next post will be full of updates about Chris' assignment is and what's that will mean for us! So stay tuned! :)</span></div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-18112317802201166582013-01-17T09:59:00.003-06:002013-01-17T14:19:50.521-06:00Happy New Year!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy New Year, everyone! I promised an update a week after my last one, but let's be honest...I did not have time, which shouldn't surprise anyone! I don't know how I manage to stay so busy all the time,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;over a 4-week break! But I have lots that I want to share. &nbsp;Things have been getting very exciting around here, with Chris' assignment night approaching quickly. &nbsp;The Christmas decorations are down (but my winter snowflake and snowman decorations are up), classes have begun again, and Chris is back on the flight line. &nbsp;Actually, his flights have been mostly cancelled due to weather, but he will be back on it next week. I have another wedding to look forward to in 2013. &nbsp;Where do I even begin?</div><br />Last time I posted, I was just finishing up my first semester back in school. &nbsp;I presented my first year paper idea to the faculty, which I think went well, so now I am neck-deep in reading research papers about international governmental accounting standards. &nbsp;After school ended, my parents were able to come up for a couple of days. &nbsp;Even though Chris and I were headed to Auburn just a few days after they left, I really wanted someone to come see all my Christmas decorations, so it was great that they got to come up! I had a couple more days of relaxation after they left. Then I headed to Auburn on the 21st for the longest visit home I have had since getting married!<br /><br />Chris had to fly that Friday, so he came up on Saturday. &nbsp;I wanted to be there Saturday morning for a mother-daughter Christmas brunch that my mom was throwing. &nbsp;I got to see so much of my family and friends over the holidays, it was wonderful! It was the first time since getting married that I could actually come home and see everyone without feeling like I was being rushed around. <br /><br />Here are some pictures from our time in Auburn. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDbd5-00tr8/UPckrGWlL7I/AAAAAAAACDw/hBGEQswAumY/s1600/2012-12-21+20.27.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDbd5-00tr8/UPckrGWlL7I/AAAAAAAACDw/hBGEQswAumY/s1600/2012-12-21+20.27.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Laredos with a few of my oldest and dearest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-om6LRsJRF5k/UPckrdH9_9I/AAAAAAAACD0/dbq8EZfmXss/s1600/2012-12-23+22.24.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-om6LRsJRF5k/UPckrdH9_9I/AAAAAAAACD0/dbq8EZfmXss/s1600/2012-12-23+22.24.55.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guy time...of course, Mason is included in that</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1DcYEeDEcRc/UPckrM1jfMI/AAAAAAAACD4/1jeDBwTQHOY/s1600/2012-12-23+16.28.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1DcYEeDEcRc/UPckrM1jfMI/AAAAAAAACD4/1jeDBwTQHOY/s1600/2012-12-23+16.28.16.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason gets groomed</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXGbslkqOYg/UPckr59LbYI/AAAAAAAACEA/UbbPhtU6hFc/s1600/2012-12-24+21.21.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXGbslkqOYg/UPckr59LbYI/AAAAAAAACEA/UbbPhtU6hFc/s1600/2012-12-24+21.21.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve--we got an LCHS calendar with Mason's picture on it! Thanks again to his supporters and fans! ;)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iqcOhq9uZU/UPckr-7R1qI/AAAAAAAACEI/Y5ewJ6LTy_I/s1600/2012-12-24+22.35.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iqcOhq9uZU/UPckr-7R1qI/AAAAAAAACEI/Y5ewJ6LTy_I/s1600/2012-12-24+22.35.46.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason had been opening his gifts...he looks just a wee bit crazy there!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WyOPBhGYcqE/UPcnJaQSSAI/AAAAAAAACGc/FlMFw8T-TI8/s1600/37091_3559716610776_967925336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WyOPBhGYcqE/UPcnJaQSSAI/AAAAAAAACGc/FlMFw8T-TI8/s1600/37091_3559716610776_967925336_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason enjoys Christmas brunch at Tammy's house.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xccs3JekYas/UPcksPHmfTI/AAAAAAAACEE/vcTTvza7xJQ/s1600/2012-12-28+17.54.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xccs3JekYas/UPcksPHmfTI/AAAAAAAACEE/vcTTvza7xJQ/s1600/2012-12-28+17.54.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Christmas, Lauren, Hannah and I went to Atlanta for a couple of days to visit Lauren Emily and her new house! By the end of this year, all three of these girls will have new last names! Lauren Emily's is in November, Hannah's is in June...and, if you read my last blog, you may remember me saying that I thought another wedding may be on the horizon for 2013...well, I was right! That would be Lauren's. &nbsp;Her wedding will be in August. &nbsp;I'm a bridesmaid for all these weddings, plus, of course, my sister's...so 2013 is going to be quite busy but I am so excited about it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqG8H0OkNV4/UPcnJwcFnwI/AAAAAAAACGo/In7pTrPc-hM/s1600/734827_3560757556799_1987596238_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqG8H0OkNV4/UPcnJwcFnwI/AAAAAAAACGo/In7pTrPc-hM/s1600/734827_3560757556799_1987596238_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">In honor of Chris' grandmother, Nancileigh's 80th Birthday, we had a family dinner/birthday party at the AU Club. &nbsp;Chris and I were both so excited that she and her husband, Matt, were able to make it to Auburn for Christmas, and that we got to celebrate her birthday in person!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s80IOPnn-X8/UPcnJRxyNhI/AAAAAAAACGg/sGzQZ9x_5yE/s1600/541007_3560755076737_1549215626_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s80IOPnn-X8/UPcnJRxyNhI/AAAAAAAACGg/sGzQZ9x_5yE/s1600/541007_3560755076737_1549215626_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Chris and the birthday girl!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfBAi29EVG0/UPcnJlDK30I/AAAAAAAACGk/pePzfVZsi_U/s1600/282967_3560758956834_2055105132_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfBAi29EVG0/UPcnJlDK30I/AAAAAAAACGk/pePzfVZsi_U/s1600/282967_3560758956834_2055105132_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 21st Birthday (+59) cake</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nsfM8VrgUOI/UPcnJqGSdHI/AAAAAAAACGs/gdJyKmGTHO8/s1600/65104_3560756996785_277560755_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nsfM8VrgUOI/UPcnJqGSdHI/AAAAAAAACGs/gdJyKmGTHO8/s1600/65104_3560756996785_277560755_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Warren with their mommy :)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-we8mX23Nfx0/UPclO0cw-BI/AAAAAAAACFI/B6JRuyId61U/s1600/262813_3560756796780_656419707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-we8mX23Nfx0/UPclO0cw-BI/AAAAAAAACFI/B6JRuyId61U/s1600/262813_3560756796780_656419707_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and I with Chris, Sr.</td></tr></tbody></table><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ul965sBzChM/UPclO19s_CI/AAAAAAAACFA/fZ47O1_1j2g/s1600/13574_10101128358143101_288686195_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ul965sBzChM/UPclO19s_CI/AAAAAAAACFA/fZ47O1_1j2g/s1600/13574_10101128358143101_288686195_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wilson family in front of the tree at the AU Club</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkYiIXzW2d8/UPckszsP1lI/AAAAAAAACEQ/PTImqEL1eBk/s1600/2012-12-30+17.47.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkYiIXzW2d8/UPckszsP1lI/AAAAAAAACEQ/PTImqEL1eBk/s1600/2012-12-30+17.47.37.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's always great to see my oldest oldest friend, Anna. &nbsp;We have been close since we were 6 years old! December 30 was her 25th birthday, and her boyfriend threw her a great party at her family's lake house. &nbsp;Don't even get me started on the food there! Great times...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1gmRjfq-n0/UPcktIJ8qzI/AAAAAAAACEU/moq3wKlGLpA/s1600/2012-12-31+19.05.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1gmRjfq-n0/UPcktIJ8qzI/AAAAAAAACEU/moq3wKlGLpA/s1600/2012-12-31+19.05.37.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For New Years Eve, Chris and I had dinner at Maestro 2300. &nbsp;We love eating at nicer restaurants, but these days, we don't treat ourselves quite as often as we used to. &nbsp;It was a great way to ring in the new year...with &nbsp;my beloved husband over a delicious meal with the perfect wine. &nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khMDrX3znVg/UPcktv0ZVVI/AAAAAAAACEc/V-qgdoQ9KME/s1600/2012-12-31+23.06.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khMDrX3znVg/UPcktv0ZVVI/AAAAAAAACEc/V-qgdoQ9KME/s1600/2012-12-31+23.06.16.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Later on in the evening, we went out on the town with Sara for a bit to actually do the New Years countdown.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8WppR2LwnM/UPcktLdabbI/AAAAAAAACEY/7V3XpRmU1LU/s1600/2012-12-30+21.08.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8WppR2LwnM/UPcktLdabbI/AAAAAAAACEY/7V3XpRmU1LU/s1600/2012-12-30+21.08.21.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's pretty rare to see Mason and Kittykins in such close quarters!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_e1hmBKitc/UPclOz7pRKI/AAAAAAAACFE/dm2-NrKO2Fk/s1600/582268_10101128351077261_268050253_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_e1hmBKitc/UPclOz7pRKI/AAAAAAAACFE/dm2-NrKO2Fk/s1600/582268_10101128351077261_268050253_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason loves being in Auburn so he can hang out with his friend, Luke</td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp;As awesome as the break was, it was nice to get home on January 2 so that I could be in my own house, redecorate from Christmas, and crack down on my school work. &nbsp;Unlike in my undergrad and masters programs, I actually have work to do pretty much year-round, even during breaks. &nbsp;I got a whole lot of work done during the week I was home before school started, and even managed to clean the house. &nbsp;Exciting life, huh? ;) Chris barely had to go in that week, which was really nice, too. &nbsp;He had a lot of breaks since he was ahead of schedule before the break and also the weather was slowing down the schedule. Here are some pictures of my winter decor.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ier2oy9RU0/UPcuAy3mG9I/AAAAAAAACIM/6fvrWN3Z_HY/s1600/2013-01-05+18.18.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ier2oy9RU0/UPcuAy3mG9I/AAAAAAAACIM/6fvrWN3Z_HY/s1600/2013-01-05+18.18.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uES4uWe2el4/UPcuA-g81OI/AAAAAAAACIQ/kk1DjSxBVT8/s1600/2013-01-05+18.20.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uES4uWe2el4/UPcuA-g81OI/AAAAAAAACIQ/kk1DjSxBVT8/s1600/2013-01-05+18.20.37.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I have some other odds and ends up, but I didn't take pictures of everything.<br />Well, I had new decorations up, so naturally that means I had to have some people over to see them :)<br />We had a handful over to watch the National Championship game. &nbsp;We ate off of Auburn stuff haha<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5qTvR4RkYU/UPcug2presI/AAAAAAAACI4/eKUiQpayEHo/s1600/2013-01-07+19.02.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5qTvR4RkYU/UPcug2presI/AAAAAAAACI4/eKUiQpayEHo/s1600/2013-01-07+19.02.25.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We roasted some pork loin and had it with fresh baked bread,&nbsp;broccoli&nbsp; gratin, and sherry tomato soup</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OiWkeg3Hg2w/UPcugmIVqoI/AAAAAAAACIw/EcWCsIcDDmc/s1600/2013-01-07+19.01.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OiWkeg3Hg2w/UPcugmIVqoI/AAAAAAAACIw/EcWCsIcDDmc/s1600/2013-01-07+19.01.40.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We have a few other projects going on...including fixing up the condo (my mom came to Tuscaloosa &nbsp;to help me with that...she got some estimates on replacing the sliding glass doors that lead onto the screen porch with some french doors and having the heinous wallpaper stripped and repainted)...and, Autumn and I are now winemakers!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlr00MsOrIA/UPcuf6tuLNI/AAAAAAAACIc/mbsYJICkAlw/s1600/2013-01-06+00.10.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlr00MsOrIA/UPcuf6tuLNI/AAAAAAAACIc/mbsYJICkAlw/s1600/2013-01-06+00.10.50.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason sleeping in Dubs' bed while we make wine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--eWcEY44Oos/UPcufxkhsvI/AAAAAAAACIg/Q_TrSHfWZzg/s1600/2013-01-06+21.01.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--eWcEY44Oos/UPcufxkhsvI/AAAAAAAACIg/Q_TrSHfWZzg/s1600/2013-01-06+21.01.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are making wine with the guys' beer kit. &nbsp;The guys are just there to do the heavy lifting :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23jF7j6z0hs/UPcugB7kcpI/AAAAAAAACIk/dfkfuXIb7sI/s1600/2013-01-06+21.10.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23jF7j6z0hs/UPcugB7kcpI/AAAAAAAACIk/dfkfuXIb7sI/s1600/2013-01-06+21.10.05.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding some kind of berries to the wine</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvCUEMnGEtk/UPgW6bdv1rI/AAAAAAAACKY/ZbkL2VA0VYo/s1600/2013-01-06+21.22.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvCUEMnGEtk/UPgW6bdv1rI/AAAAAAAACKY/ZbkL2VA0VYo/s1600/2013-01-06+21.22.03.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very intense...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOLnNp50ArE/UPgW6bXs-LI/AAAAAAAACKU/ICiZjWda4-s/s1600/2013-01-06+21.04.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOLnNp50ArE/UPgW6bXs-LI/AAAAAAAACKU/ICiZjWda4-s/s1600/2013-01-06+21.04.29.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta-da! We did it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODmxN25LTRc/UPcugb1IjCI/AAAAAAAACIo/splf0SC6K1E/s1600/2013-01-06+21.27.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODmxN25LTRc/UPcugb1IjCI/AAAAAAAACIo/splf0SC6K1E/s1600/2013-01-06+21.27.29.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There it sits for another few weeks until it's ready for the next step!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Last weekend, I went to Atlanta to run in a 15K (9.3 miles) with a group of friends. &nbsp;I stayed with Tori...words can't describe how I love that girl! Hannah and Chase ran in the 5K and they stayed with Ellie and Matt, so we got to see them a lot too. &nbsp;I just love being with old friends so much...and I absolutely love Atlanta! Basically, I never wanted to leave except for I missed Chris since he couldn't come with us. &nbsp;He had a flight on Friday, so he couldn't join. &nbsp;I even saw Jon and Autumn briefly, as they came to town for the Atlanta Falcons-Seattle Seahawks game (the third...?...round of the NFL playoffs), and I stopped in on Meredith in Birmingham on the way home Sunday and wound up spending the night thanks to the terrible weather. &nbsp;So, overall, it was a weekend jam packed full of awesomeness. Here are some pictures.<br /><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday we went to my all time favorite restaurant, Eclipse de Luna (it's a tapas place...I like it because I can get like 5 different things for dinner, which is, of course, very appealing to me!), then out. &nbsp;Here we are, aren't we cute! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKaP4IP7TRM/UPgZ4Paj72I/AAAAAAAACN8/Ot1Z0If6n_o/s1600/2013-01-12+02.16.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KKaP4IP7TRM/UPgZ4Paj72I/AAAAAAAACN8/Ot1Z0If6n_o/s1600/2013-01-12+02.16.22.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uU51x-lwRYA/UPgZ0KH2u1I/AAAAAAAACNk/ZAorGFvMS0w/s1600/2013-01-12+00.17.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uU51x-lwRYA/UPgZ0KH2u1I/AAAAAAAACNk/ZAorGFvMS0w/s1600/2013-01-12+00.17.19.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK7ZzmevudU/UPgYZQWWY1I/AAAAAAAACLw/CvI8nFQUnH8/s1600/2013-01-12+15.49.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK7ZzmevudU/UPgYZQWWY1I/AAAAAAAACLw/CvI8nFQUnH8/s1600/2013-01-12+15.49.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday, Matt, Ellie, Hannah, Chase and I went to a new brewery in Atlanta called &nbsp;Wrecking Bar. &nbsp;It's in a building that has operated as a Methodist Church, dance studio, home, and antique store. &nbsp;It was probably the coolest brewery tour I've ever been on. &nbsp;It was literally like they took Chris and Jon's home brewing operation and put it on a bigger scale...but not too big. &nbsp;The beer is actually going to start being distributed to some of the nicer brew pubs in Atlanta in the next few weeks. &nbsp;The people were really nice there, and the food was extremely good! We didn't try a lot of it, but what we had was good, and what we saw on other people's tables looked delicious!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q14ToaDmiCM/UPgYZOjAstI/AAAAAAAACL8/TvBAvPSaFCU/s1600/2013-01-12+15.27.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q14ToaDmiCM/UPgYZOjAstI/AAAAAAAACL8/TvBAvPSaFCU/s1600/2013-01-12+15.27.17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the Wrecking Bar brewery. &nbsp;Doesn't look like any other brewery I've ever seen....</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCw5FxyaKCc/UPgYaA4xQCI/AAAAAAAACL0/bxlLmID12AE/s1600/2013-01-12+21.15.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCw5FxyaKCc/UPgYaA4xQCI/AAAAAAAACL0/bxlLmID12AE/s1600/2013-01-12+21.15.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner Saturday night at Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWA7C4om1tQ/UPgYbTqrb3I/AAAAAAAACME/-MaV83Jn7h4/s1600/2013-01-13+07.18.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWA7C4om1tQ/UPgYbTqrb3I/AAAAAAAACME/-MaV83Jn7h4/s1600/2013-01-13+07.18.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">I take any chance I can get to wake up at 5AM on a Sunday...haha just kidding. &nbsp;But here was the main point of me coming to Atlanta. &nbsp;A 20,000 people race called the Hot Chocolate 5/15K that went through Atlanta...most long races give you beer at the end (it's the best way to hydrate and replensish carbs, bet you didn't know that!), but this one...gave us hot chocolate and chocolate fondue! Yum!! I think the idea was that it would be cold outside and that hot chocolate would feel good, but it was actually in the 70's...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2v4_r5W5l4k/UPgYaiDKW-I/AAAAAAAACL4/il_Aq5hot9k/s1600/2013-01-13+06.44.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2v4_r5W5l4k/UPgYaiDKW-I/AAAAAAAACL4/il_Aq5hot9k/s1600/2013-01-13+06.44.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Me with my fellow 15K-ers...Carrie, Tori, and Lindsey...before the race</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc1DZ0USN1w/UPgb5TbhurI/AAAAAAAACPU/XObRaGeq46w/s1600/874_10101856107487560_1028118861_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc1DZ0USN1w/UPgb5TbhurI/AAAAAAAACPU/XObRaGeq46w/s1600/874_10101856107487560_1028118861_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">And here we are after, with our hot chocolate and fondue...slightly less&nbsp;glamorous...I believe I look&nbsp;especially&nbsp;ridiculous haha. &nbsp;I finished in 1:32. &nbsp;It was the hilliest run I think I have ever done. &nbsp;It definitely felt like there were more up-hills than down! But I made it to the finish line!&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PeqREuxlaQ/UPgb4Gr5oyI/AAAAAAAACPM/9h9oGscXJcA/s1600/2013-01-13+10.32.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PeqREuxlaQ/UPgb4Gr5oyI/AAAAAAAACPM/9h9oGscXJcA/s1600/2013-01-13+10.32.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Our finishers mug! You can't see, but we also had marshmallows, rice krispies, wafers, and pretzels to dip in the fondue</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmnMSzBlLZY/UPgZ0PTiVnI/AAAAAAAACNo/6TjyEi-Dbfg/s1600/2013-01-17+09.32.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmnMSzBlLZY/UPgZ0PTiVnI/AAAAAAAACNo/6TjyEi-Dbfg/s1600/2013-01-17+09.32.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">After the race...and freshening up a bit...we headed to a sports bar/grill &nbsp;to watch the Falcons-Seahawks game. &nbsp;The weather seemed like it would be getting bad, so I had to head out around the beginning of the 4th quarter. &nbsp;I listened to the remainder of the game in the car, and I have to say, that was the most interested I have EVER been in the NFL. &nbsp;I've been saying I wanted to become an NFL fan...just to give me some other football team to care about when Auburn isn't doing well...so I guess the natural choice would be the Atlanta Falcons. &nbsp;I have to say, I will definitely be watching the game and wearing red and black this Sunday when they play in the final round of the playoffs!&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />The weather in Atlanta was perfect for running...it was in the 70's all weekend. &nbsp;But on my way home Sunday, things took a turn for the worst, and we've had nothing but miserable weather since! Monday morning I went straight to Tuscaloosa for class, but Monday night I had to go home to get some fresh clothes and because I wanted to see Chris and Mason. &nbsp;Things have just been getting colder since then. &nbsp;Now I am very sad because I'm in Tuscaloosa where it's just very cold and damp, and just an hour away in Columbus, Chris has been sending me these pictures of our snow covered house, yard, and dog! I so wish I could be at home playing in the snow with them! The worst part is, I have class until 4:45, meaning it will be about dark before I can head home. &nbsp;The roads may be icy, which means I may be here until tomorrow. &nbsp;I have a social tomorrow for the CSC at 11:30, so hopefully I can make it home before then. &nbsp;I am the first Vice President now, so I will feel bad if I have to miss it for the weather. <br /><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the pictures Chris has been sending me today:<br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kydfkCdvns0/UPgZ0IG48kI/AAAAAAAACNs/1dw-u8E0GuE/s1600/2013-01-17+09.28.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kydfkCdvns0/UPgZ0IG48kI/AAAAAAAACNs/1dw-u8E0GuE/s1600/2013-01-17+09.28.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason loves the snow!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kC4BL5IH7b0/UPgeA3HIy2I/AAAAAAAACQo/3vmayoKYuT4/s1600/2013-01-17+08.26.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kC4BL5IH7b0/UPgeA3HIy2I/AAAAAAAACQo/3vmayoKYuT4/s1600/2013-01-17+08.26.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMqfZpt66Bg/UPgeA-7ejcI/AAAAAAAACQk/jegl64TFsHo/s1600/2013-01-17+09.01.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMqfZpt66Bg/UPgeA-7ejcI/AAAAAAAACQk/jegl64TFsHo/s1600/2013-01-17+09.01.39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Best of all, here is the video he sent me of Mason chasing the ball in the snow. &nbsp;You may have to turn your head sideways to watch it. But if you watch at least half way through, I think you will get a good laugh...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxvLNd3rPUMwXXuGHf1WOBqrVTDXO_7FkgpmJefQp49vTUV4k5rQjdQPjZN05zYY37cjzHdi1VdzI4RH9RoOg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am looking forward to (hopefully) heading home tonight after class. &nbsp;I don't know if I will be able to, as I just looked out &nbsp;my office window to see lots of flurries coming down! I wonder if it will stick. &nbsp;It's MLK weekend, but for probably the first time ever, I think Chris and I will opt to spend this long weekend at home. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pilot training is nearly over, and if Chris get's the instructor pilot position that we hope he will get, it means he will probably be gone for about 6 months this year! That is going to be very sad for me! It's crazy knowing how up in the air things are right now. &nbsp;He is supposed to have his assignment at the end of February...most likely, February 22. &nbsp;After that, and his graduation on March 15, we have no idea when and where he will be going at this point. &nbsp;We could have to move out of our house as early as April! What a nightmare that will be, if school is not out for summer yet. &nbsp;We have learned to just take one step at a time, though. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for reading, and I will be sure to keep everyone updated! Now that I am so busy, I can really only update the blog about once a month. &nbsp;Chris' assignment is in about a month and a week, so my next blog post may be a very big update!&nbsp;</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UPDATE: School just got cancelled, woohoo! I am heading home to play in the snow :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-22193922541663415792012-12-12T22:08:00.003-06:002012-12-12T22:08:54.787-06:00'Tis The Season 2012<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TdCsSBZGq8U/UMlOhjncACI/AAAAAAAAB_4/i_nJg-PJ5Sc/s1600/photo(30).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>The holiday season is upon us! And what an exciting one it has been so far!<br /><br />I definitely should have updated the blog after Thanksgiving.&nbsp; Things have been busy with school (as they have been all semester!)...so I'm finally getting to it, and have TONS of pictures to share. And, I must admit, with the new iPhone, I have been going a little crazy with pictures!<br /><br />Chris and I got to spend a long weekend at home for Thanksgiving.&nbsp; As usual, Thanksgiving day was packed full of visiting with family.&nbsp;<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdA1t--AC-w/UMlQEgGj05I/AAAAAAAACAw/FkvpWtJOtEk/s1600/198371_10101071502317631_1085736740_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdA1t--AC-w/UMlQEgGj05I/AAAAAAAACAw/FkvpWtJOtEk/s400/198371_10101071502317631_1085736740_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Chris' dad's house, the guys got out in the yard with the football.&nbsp; That's Warren.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--g5U3LHRDUs/UMlQGgb3bxI/AAAAAAAACBA/UWakS9fdvFU/s1600/224024_10101071502462341_1638948974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--g5U3LHRDUs/UMlQGgb3bxI/AAAAAAAACBA/UWakS9fdvFU/s400/224024_10101071502462341_1638948974_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, Warren and Dow</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNOCsmWVuWg/UMlQLvcgukI/AAAAAAAACBY/7_8tDz00DSc/s1600/283269_10101071502302661_2075622903_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNOCsmWVuWg/UMlQLvcgukI/AAAAAAAACBY/7_8tDz00DSc/s400/283269_10101071502302661_2075622903_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--P6ZqGXGEyg/UMlQNL0ePhI/AAAAAAAACBg/aFRaRBQjnnY/s1600/302770_10101071382906931_1129348076_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--P6ZqGXGEyg/UMlQNL0ePhI/AAAAAAAACBg/aFRaRBQjnnY/s400/302770_10101071382906931_1129348076_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4lWHSgFDyiE/UMlQS3v7ogI/AAAAAAAACCE/DiQ5csxRyWQ/s1600/546896_10101069697818861_1324291583_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4lWHSgFDyiE/UMlQS3v7ogI/AAAAAAAACCE/DiQ5csxRyWQ/s400/546896_10101069697818861_1324291583_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason in his fall sweater</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ru4G8WBJTqA/UMlQULtbcDI/AAAAAAAACCQ/GCyQv6A1Fq4/s1600/556887_10101072739353601_1893279926_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ru4G8WBJTqA/UMlQULtbcDI/AAAAAAAACCQ/GCyQv6A1Fq4/s400/556887_10101072739353601_1893279926_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While the boys threw the football, Mason played with his ball, too</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />&nbsp; Black Friday has apparently been moved to Thanksgiving night.&nbsp; The Thursday night of Thanksgiving, I met up with friends, and actually went shopping at midnight to catch the Black Friday deals.&nbsp; Chris also spent the evening with friends, but he decided not to go Black Friday shopping.&nbsp; He missed out!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNxXIUt31X4/UMlQVe9b1CI/AAAAAAAACCY/G4U7G2lRjiM/s1600/604001_10101070860109621_851244858_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNxXIUt31X4/UMlQVe9b1CI/AAAAAAAACCY/G4U7G2lRjiM/s400/604001_10101070860109621_851244858_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for some midnight shopping with Jessica, Sara, and Hannah</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />We got to go see our alma mater, Auburn High School, in the state semi-finals at the same stadium where I cheered and Chris played football all through high school! It looks a lot different now...the football team has been so successful lately, and they have added on a lot to the stadium. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-732kiYXCRJQ/UMlQPRmzZ0I/AAAAAAAACBw/7mVb-qr6CF0/s1600/374385_10101071725535301_1427448875_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-732kiYXCRJQ/UMlQPRmzZ0I/AAAAAAAACBw/7mVb-qr6CF0/s400/374385_10101071725535301_1427448875_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wore Chris' old jersey to the game that we found at his mom's house.&nbsp; Yes, I am a huge dork! Haha</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tq9_tsZQrWk/UMlQFewhOZI/AAAAAAAACA4/F7Qt8hpa36Q/s1600/20292_10101072045673741_1122408153_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tq9_tsZQrWk/UMlQFewhOZI/AAAAAAAACA4/F7Qt8hpa36Q/s640/20292_10101072045673741_1122408153_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed out stadium! Sadly, we lost :( Oh well, just one more Auburn loss for the season...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp;We also got to take some cute Christmas pictures.&nbsp; My&nbsp; sister has a pretty nice camera, so she took these pictures of us and we edited them on Instagram to make them look more professional.&nbsp; I think they turned out really nice! The ideas for the pictures came off of Pinterest.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4qxpjYQ5EI/UMlQDLqEE0I/AAAAAAAACAo/c5qk9LkwdBQ/s1600/188423_10101072766439321_1556859127_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4qxpjYQ5EI/UMlQDLqEE0I/AAAAAAAACAo/c5qk9LkwdBQ/s400/188423_10101072766439321_1556859127_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAsfzdKCiTg/UMlQIgaR8sI/AAAAAAAACBI/udtWBhFq31w/s1600/23929_10101072766374451_26301878_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAsfzdKCiTg/UMlQIgaR8sI/AAAAAAAACBI/udtWBhFq31w/s400/23929_10101072766374451_26301878_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTwXZtu0b00/UMlQOF5SzKI/AAAAAAAACBo/tgcmXGPwFy0/s1600/35010_10101072766499201_1833071676_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTwXZtu0b00/UMlQOF5SzKI/AAAAAAAACBo/tgcmXGPwFy0/s400/35010_10101072766499201_1833071676_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd_eac9G3wE/UMlQRv2yb0I/AAAAAAAACCA/mNstNX-dbnc/s1600/479775_10101072766648901_646179335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd_eac9G3wE/UMlQRv2yb0I/AAAAAAAACCA/mNstNX-dbnc/s400/479775_10101072766648901_646179335_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEML7HccXek/UMlQKSQpXwI/AAAAAAAACBQ/iBJ2avxyQF0/s1600/252387_10101072766124951_1127371035_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEML7HccXek/UMlQKSQpXwI/AAAAAAAACBQ/iBJ2avxyQF0/s400/252387_10101072766124951_1127371035_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGgeqwPXa9w/UMlQBfJzyHI/AAAAAAAACAg/p6wZWN9esOw/s1600/178925_10101072766274651_1155745289_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGgeqwPXa9w/UMlQBfJzyHI/AAAAAAAACAg/p6wZWN9esOw/s400/178925_10101072766274651_1155745289_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />When we got home on Sunday, I finished decorating the house for Christmas.&nbsp; It took me a few days, but I'm very proud of how it turned out! Here are some pictures.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgfLKFazisQ/UMlHjBvUQzI/AAAAAAAAB-I/esY8dxw3z4M/s1600/2012-12-02+16.48.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgfLKFazisQ/UMlHjBvUQzI/AAAAAAAAB-I/esY8dxw3z4M/s400/2012-12-02+16.48.00.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe one day we'll have a fireplace to hang our stockings over, but for now...the hutch is it! Doesn't our Christmas village look cute? Chris got those every Christmas from his Nana and Aunt Bette while growing up.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-66lHwQ3e4YU/UMlIE9b0xjI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/GJRh-m5_054/s1600/2012-12-02+16.48.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-66lHwQ3e4YU/UMlIE9b0xjI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/GJRh-m5_054/s400/2012-12-02+16.48.17.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5Xcf60jHVY/UMlIl-QqeVI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/GwJAGeYqCKg/s1600/2012-12-02+16.50.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k5Xcf60jHVY/UMlIl-QqeVI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/GwJAGeYqCKg/s400/2012-12-02+16.50.05.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris insists that he needs somewhere to put his stuff when he walks in the door.&nbsp; Well, there wasn't room with all my Christmas decorations on our hall table.&nbsp; So I stacked up the boxes that our Christmas china is in and covered them with a table cloth.&nbsp; Voila! A place for Chris' things and an easy and accessible place to store our Christmas plates. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXyzK_xeSXo/UMk5RTvVnZI/AAAAAAAAB5g/MkTzr-pvJiI/s1600/2012-12-11+15.53.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXyzK_xeSXo/UMk5RTvVnZI/AAAAAAAAB5g/MkTzr-pvJiI/s400/2012-12-11+15.53.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas silverware (yes...I love Christmas that much) and some other handy things to have around the kitchen. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8hhQGhJxC8/UMk5cx4x9VI/AAAAAAAAB5o/HMW3eB5KA3k/s1600/2012-12-12+12.44.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8hhQGhJxC8/UMk5cx4x9VI/AAAAAAAAB5o/HMW3eB5KA3k/s400/2012-12-12+12.44.22.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guest room...I'm not sure if we will have any guests in it this Christmas season :( But it's ready, just in case!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gkvFlQBzn4/UMk5qRnyBnI/AAAAAAAAB5w/M1GdwWSP_nA/s1600/2012-12-12+12.44.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gkvFlQBzn4/UMk5qRnyBnI/AAAAAAAAB5w/M1GdwWSP_nA/s400/2012-12-12+12.44.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fontanini nativity in the guest room.&nbsp; Guess y'all didn't know that Christ's birth occurred in front of Jordan-Hare Stadium! Haha, just kidding. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VTO00JQwSE/UMk6zEXtn-I/AAAAAAAAB54/bipFvpnrVtQ/s1600/2012-12-12+12.57.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VTO00JQwSE/UMk6zEXtn-I/AAAAAAAAB54/bipFvpnrVtQ/s640/2012-12-12+12.57.23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of the kitchen taken with the panoramic feature on my new iPhone!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1BRQs0LdY4/UMlCeFZxO5I/AAAAAAAAB8g/NBi6V0n1Lrc/s1600/2012-12-12+12.50.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1BRQs0LdY4/UMlCeFZxO5I/AAAAAAAAB8g/NBi6V0n1Lrc/s640/2012-12-12+12.50.15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fun with panoramics! Here is our living room from one side...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvRakfbNTFk/UMlDclc4GtI/AAAAAAAAB8o/cuc38qsSz7E/s1600/2012-12-12+12.55.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvRakfbNTFk/UMlDclc4GtI/AAAAAAAAB8o/cuc38qsSz7E/s640/2012-12-12+12.55.47.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here it is from the other.&nbsp; The panoramic pictures make it look much bigger than it is!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDp2cmp4gBk/UMk7IZ3TnZI/AAAAAAAAB6A/tOldsCkVCV4/s1600/2012-12-12+12.59.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1BOrr_rW7k/UMlA8llx-GI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/Ky_an5jbUa0/s1600/2012-12-12+12.45.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1BOrr_rW7k/UMlA8llx-GI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/Ky_an5jbUa0/s400/2012-12-12+12.45.39.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the Auburn themed tree I put in our bedroom.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hY7lJee6pVE/UMk7ZGtOruI/AAAAAAAAB6I/ROoyOCAXpu4/s1600/2012-12-12+12.59.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hY7lJee6pVE/UMk7ZGtOruI/AAAAAAAAB6I/ROoyOCAXpu4/s400/2012-12-12+12.59.38.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason's Christmas glamour shot in front of the Christmas tree</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXU0zkYRYA8/UMk7lBNtmGI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/VtST0_6kiAk/s1600/2012-12-12+16.36.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXU0zkYRYA8/UMk7lBNtmGI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/VtST0_6kiAk/s400/2012-12-12+16.36.43.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made these letters for our windows! They spell J-O-Y.&nbsp; This was another idea I got off Pinterest. Here is the "J".. Yes, I know, the tacky chords kind of take away from the effect, but it looks much better at night!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHoZKTh5Esk/UMk7306bjEI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/YfzeR4ArT-M/s1600/2012-12-12+16.36.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHoZKTh5Esk/UMk7306bjEI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/YfzeR4ArT-M/s400/2012-12-12+16.36.59.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "O"...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gYBBEYjtG4/UMk8CFTzEfI/AAAAAAAAB6g/wREEENd_Xkg/s1600/2012-12-12+16.37.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gYBBEYjtG4/UMk8CFTzEfI/AAAAAAAAB6g/wREEENd_Xkg/s400/2012-12-12+16.37.17.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the "Y" </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-WTBeAKiUw/UMk8jjn-xbI/AAAAAAAAB6o/Vph0mDhgtMI/s1600/2012-12-12+16.56.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-WTBeAKiUw/UMk8jjn-xbI/AAAAAAAAB6o/Vph0mDhgtMI/s640/2012-12-12+16.56.41.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here is our whole house lit up at dusk! You can hopefully see the J-O-Y</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The weekend after Thanksgiving, we did some entertaining.&nbsp; I was really in the mood to have people over since I had finished with my Christmas decorating.&nbsp; Mannie joined us for breakfast.&nbsp; He is training for helicopters in Ft. Rucker, but was in town for a visit. I made gingerbread pancakes from a mix that Tammy got us. &nbsp; Later, since the SEC championship was on, Alabama vs. Georgia, we had our friends Jenny and Kevin over to watch the game.&nbsp; Jenny went to Georgia and Kevin went to Auburn so it was a good group to watch the game with. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGpb0y9ZIxk/UMlOuGjpvPI/AAAAAAAACAQ/RMWpDe0vB3o/s1600/photo%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGpb0y9ZIxk/UMlOuGjpvPI/AAAAAAAACAQ/RMWpDe0vB3o/s400/photo%252833%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancakes...I was just getting started when we took this.&nbsp; I made, like, 20. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kza7HbIZIzQ/UMlKVt_95cI/AAAAAAAAB-o/3vwvXgDZCw8/s1600/2012-12-01+15.12.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kza7HbIZIzQ/UMlKVt_95cI/AAAAAAAAB-o/3vwvXgDZCw8/s400/2012-12-01+15.12.35.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As usual, I took too many pictures of food and not enough of people! But here is a BLT dip that I made for watching the game. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqBqGvdu5MU/UMlKvT_4CWI/AAAAAAAAB-w/AMAHNrE6qfc/s1600/2012-12-01+17.15.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqBqGvdu5MU/UMlKvT_4CWI/AAAAAAAAB-w/AMAHNrE6qfc/s400/2012-12-01+17.15.14.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cream of Mushroom soup...great recipe! For the second half of the game. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Later, for dinner, we had Jon, Autumn, Ralph, and Alicia over. It was funny because when we woke up that morning, I had no plans at all to have anyone over, and then we wound up having breakfast, lunch, and dinner guests! I must say, when I entertain at the last minute, I probably do a better job because I don't over-plan everything! At the same time, I enjoy over-planning things, so I might just have to have another Christmas party before the big day gets here.&nbsp; I don't know if I'll get the chance, though, so I'm glad these get-togethers got together ;)<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLKgi9Bjorw/UMlOqVoXvmI/AAAAAAAACAI/4jdExMEipqg/s1600/photo%252832%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLKgi9Bjorw/UMlOqVoXvmI/AAAAAAAACAI/4jdExMEipqg/s400/photo%252832%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrimp and Grits with caprese!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TdCsSBZGq8U/UMlOhjncACI/AAAAAAAAB_4/i_nJg-PJ5Sc/s1600/photo%252830%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TdCsSBZGq8U/UMlOhjncACI/AAAAAAAAB_4/i_nJg-PJ5Sc/s320/photo%252830%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ralph and Alicia at dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Myy4FvxFnU/UMlOx8VoVjI/AAAAAAAACAY/IH9fb-7xzMI/s1600/photo%252834%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Myy4FvxFnU/UMlOx8VoVjI/AAAAAAAACAY/IH9fb-7xzMI/s400/photo%252834%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason must have been stuffed!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7xRfviglGGI/UMlOnI9QH2I/AAAAAAAACAA/JE76naN3RMU/s1600/photo%252831%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7xRfviglGGI/UMlOnI9QH2I/AAAAAAAACAA/JE76naN3RMU/s320/photo%252831%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting into the key lime pie.&nbsp; That's one of the side effects of not planning dinner parties in advance...I have to serve (gasp!)...pre-made desserts from the freezer section! Haha, actually, it was probably much better than one of my homemade desserts. </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RhGbvhM0Qsk/UMlHBLhMK9I/AAAAAAAAB-A/fAG8NS8IjCA/s1600/2012-12-01+23.13.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RhGbvhM0Qsk/UMlHBLhMK9I/AAAAAAAAB-A/fAG8NS8IjCA/s400/2012-12-01+23.13.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It had been a while since we broke out the X-box Kinect, so after dinner we decided to play some dancing games.&nbsp; Here is Chris going against Autumn.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bfs3-rIVR48/UMlGvfBRcrI/AAAAAAAAB94/BxwS1Uy9_rw/s1600/2012-12-01+22.39.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bfs3-rIVR48/UMlGvfBRcrI/AAAAAAAAB94/BxwS1Uy9_rw/s400/2012-12-01+22.39.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn and Alicia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xn6VvtnaAd0/UMlGc9LEirI/AAAAAAAAB9w/eXoc4MktR3o/s1600/2012-12-01+22.31.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xn6VvtnaAd0/UMlGc9LEirI/AAAAAAAAB9w/eXoc4MktR3o/s400/2012-12-01+22.31.06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ralph and Jon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />This past weekend, we went ice skating in Tuscaloosa with Alicia and Ralph.&nbsp; Here are some pictures:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8QtohAvYjn0/UMlAOUqZVMI/AAAAAAAAB8A/VoSyXwPycgk/s1600/2012-12-08+11.26.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8QtohAvYjn0/UMlAOUqZVMI/AAAAAAAAB8A/VoSyXwPycgk/s400/2012-12-08+11.26.42.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to skate!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDB6MeRe6Z0/UMlAcvWa0tI/AAAAAAAAB8I/kpW6KIXiWso/s1600/2012-12-08+11.27.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDB6MeRe6Z0/UMlAcvWa0tI/AAAAAAAAB8I/kpW6KIXiWso/s400/2012-12-08+11.27.25.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HzVZ-ogA49I/UMlAxKcCEGI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/bWCkPDb6N0s/s1600/2012-12-08+11.27.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HzVZ-ogA49I/UMlAxKcCEGI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/bWCkPDb6N0s/s400/2012-12-08+11.27.37.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ralph and Alicia.&nbsp; Ralph is in Chris' class, and Alicia is a few classes ahead.&nbsp; She just got her assignment a month or so ago...C-17s to McChord AFB near Seattle!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgxyt73Pssc/UMk3-FJkHGI/AAAAAAAAB4M/ym9nx164o3s/s1600/2012-12-08+12.04.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8KDJwQsXDY/UMk4Floi0hI/AAAAAAAAB4U/d7nNMZd7Bjw/s1600/2012-12-08+12.04.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8KDJwQsXDY/UMk4Floi0hI/AAAAAAAAB4U/d7nNMZd7Bjw/s400/2012-12-08+12.04.19.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris is the expert skater</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vg1kJb__MY4/UMk4ICULPBI/AAAAAAAAB4c/T3dc8JSHDZc/s1600/2012-12-08+15.17.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vg1kJb__MY4/UMk4ICULPBI/AAAAAAAAB4c/T3dc8JSHDZc/s400/2012-12-08+15.17.25.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alicia and me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NAZIm1IO4U/UMk4Jg_LNJI/AAAAAAAAB4k/EiX2NRo56po/s1600/2012-12-08+15.17.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NAZIm1IO4U/UMk4Jg_LNJI/AAAAAAAAB4k/EiX2NRo56po/s400/2012-12-08+15.17.28.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skating with my lover!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />We also visited the Farmer's Market there, which was awesome.&nbsp; We didn't buy much this time, since we didn't come prepared with a cooler or very much cash.&nbsp; We did buy some homemade cheese that is delicious! This weekend, we will spend the night in Tuscaloosa Friday night because it is the Christmas party with my Ph.D. class. Saturday morning, we will definitely hit up the Farmer's Market before we come home.&nbsp; You can buy steaks, pork, and even shrimp from local farmers there.&nbsp; Don't even get me started on the selection of vegetables! We bought some fresh eggs there last week, too, which were noticeably tastier than the store-bought kind!&nbsp; We love Farmer's Markets.&nbsp; The one here in Columbus doesn't last through the winter, so it's nice to know about one that does!<br /><br />In other news....my little sister got engaged on Sunday! She and her fiance, Jason Walters, have been together for a couple of years now.&nbsp; They are both graduating in May, she in elementary education and he in civil engineering.&nbsp; He proposed to her in Calloway Gardens on Sunday.&nbsp; They are very excited about their December 14, 2013 wedding! I am excited too! I am in three weddings next year, and I wouldn't be one bit surprised if I wound up being in four...it seems like a 2013 wedding might be in the cards for another friend of mine.&nbsp; It is certainly going to be a lot of fun.&nbsp; It's hard to believe that my baby sister has reached marriageable age!&nbsp; Haha but a Christmas wedding will be so pretty and it will be fun to do something totally different than Chris' and my July wedding.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-disHD5diido/UMk4OzY3RzI/AAAAAAAAB4s/lnCWGoIrIZc/s1600/2012-12-09+17.12.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-disHD5diido/UMk4OzY3RzI/AAAAAAAAB4s/lnCWGoIrIZc/s400/2012-12-09+17.12.15.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ring! That's sapphires on the side. It reminds me in some ways of my ring.&nbsp; Guess he has good taste! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r93jLriaO9M/UMk4bOIcNdI/AAAAAAAAB40/LjrnL91rhf0/s1600/2012-12-09+17.19.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r93jLriaO9M/UMk4bOIcNdI/AAAAAAAAB40/LjrnL91rhf0/s400/2012-12-09+17.19.49.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne toast Chris and I made to the happy couple! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhm3xYUN3DM/UMk5DgIblEI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/pu4G65FPs0g/s1600/2012-12-09+20.02.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhm3xYUN3DM/UMk5DgIblEI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/pu4G65FPs0g/s400/2012-12-09+20.02.56.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engaged!</td></tr></tbody></table>Here are some other pictures from the past month:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RAowVUGk1ps/UMk4vj0hhfI/AAAAAAAAB5I/dmyQl3YEsNM/s1600/2012-12-09+20.01.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RAowVUGk1ps/UMk4vj0hhfI/AAAAAAAAB5I/dmyQl3YEsNM/s400/2012-12-09+20.01.05.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason sitting on Chris, waiting for the light show to begin. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ldLKzqSwi0/UMk4nNAz1zI/AAAAAAAAB5A/-c99fJJ8-yA/s1600/2012-12-09+19.55.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ldLKzqSwi0/UMk4nNAz1zI/AAAAAAAAB5A/-c99fJJ8-yA/s400/2012-12-09+19.55.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a light show at a house in one of the neighborhoods on base.&nbsp; Lights in the yard are choreographed to music.&nbsp; We walked out there with Autumn, Jon, and the dogs to watch. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bkuLBjerwco/UMk49-BhBjI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/g8gqV-9vWII/s1600/2012-12-09+20.02.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bkuLBjerwco/UMk49-BhBjI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/g8gqV-9vWII/s400/2012-12-09+20.02.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of the light show (obviously, you can't get the full effect with a picture, but the lights change to music)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mqlr3nD5Ps/UMk__pCihLI/AAAAAAAAB74/0_HgWOMhYAU/s1600/2012-12-07+21.42.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mqlr3nD5Ps/UMk__pCihLI/AAAAAAAAB74/0_HgWOMhYAU/s400/2012-12-07+21.42.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At J. Broussard's in Columbus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7H-9UrQjys/UMlQQXG_x2I/AAAAAAAACB4/neiV8rM7jR4/s1600/402404_3926707558392_1624737007_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7H-9UrQjys/UMlQQXG_x2I/AAAAAAAACB4/neiV8rM7jR4/s400/402404_3926707558392_1624737007_n.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had a girls' weekend a few weeks ago while Chris was on his cross-country trip in the T-1.&nbsp; Tori and Sara spent the weekend with me.&nbsp; We had a great time!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br />Wow, I guess that about wraps it up! We have a couple of Christmas parties this weekend.&nbsp; I am done with school for the semester, except for my finals tomorrow, so next week I will have more time to update the blog with other goings on in our life as well as Christmas party pictures.&nbsp; Meanwhile, this has taken quite a while (I guess that's what I get for not updating for a month!) and I need to get going..I have to leave by 6:30 tomorrow morning to get to Tuscaloosa in time for my first final! Chris has to wake up early, too.&nbsp; He is double-turning tomorrow (taking two flights...very exhausting!).&nbsp; He also has a lot of work to do to get ready for his big check ride next Wednesday.&nbsp; He is glad that he will have it out of the way before Christmas, but this check ride is very important, so it is also stressful and he has to be prepared. I'm sure you would all like to hear about his cross-country trip.&nbsp; I will update you more on what all is happening next week sometime.&nbsp; Thanks for reading! <br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-49430617480271706362012-11-26T08:20:00.002-06:002012-11-26T08:20:27.751-06:00Class 13-06 Fundraiser!Hello, all!<br /><br />I wanted to let you know that Chris' class is having a fundraiser to raise money for graduation!<br /><br />We are selling Christmas ornaments for $10 a piece with the class logo on it.<br /><br />The ornament will be a large, white ornament with a red bow tied to the top.&nbsp; It will have the following logo on it, which is the class 13-06 patch:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DT0ViXWJjZU/ULN2lgyVddI/AAAAAAAAB1U/mkk_E74VKwo/s1600/Pilot+Pro+Shop+Patch+FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DT0ViXWJjZU/ULN2lgyVddI/AAAAAAAAB1U/mkk_E74VKwo/s320/Pilot+Pro+Shop+Patch+FINAL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;There will also be text that says "UPT 2012" at the top (which stands for Undergraduate Pilot Training) and "Columbus AFB, MS" at the bottom. <br /><br />They can be personalized with a name or message, as well.&nbsp;<br /><br />Chris' graduation is just around the corner.&nbsp; The students are financially responsible for the cost of graduation, which is very expensive and could cost literally hundreds per student without fundraising.<br /><br />I have ordered these ornaments from <a href="http://www.fundraisingornaments.com/">http://www.fundraisingornaments.com</a> and have found their customer service to be fantastic! They were very helpful in helping me determine which ornaments we would be able to order in time for Christmas and have assured me that they would arrive by December 17, which gives us time to distribute them to the guys in the class so that they can take them home to family or friends. <br /><br />Here are some ways you can order:<br /><br />1. If you are a 13-06 student, you may write Chris a check for $10 per ornament (we are asking that all students sell or purchase at least 3 ornaments each).<br /><br />2. If you are a friend or family member who would like an ornament and who will see 13-06 student during the holidays, you may write them a check, or write Chris Beck a check and ask them to deliver it to him, for $10 per ornament&nbsp; you would like, and that student can see about getting the ornament to you over the holidays.<br /><br />3. If you are a friend or family member who will not get to see a 13-06 student during the holidays, you may write them a check, or write Chris Beck a check and ask them to deliver it to them, for $10 an ornament, + shipping expense ($5 for 1 or 2 ornaments, $10 for 3 or 4 ornaments, etc).&nbsp; Please provide your shipping address.&nbsp; I will ship it to you as soon as it arrives, and it should arrive by Christmas.&nbsp;<br /><br />If you would like the ornament personalized with a name or message, please provide that information as well.&nbsp; Ornaments will be personalized on the opposite side of the logo. <br /><br />We appreciate your support! For questions, please email me at au.abeck@gmail.com<br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!<br /><br /><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-53952663234654641812012-11-16T16:29:00.001-06:002012-11-22T14:39:50.519-06:00It's Fall, Y'all!It has been over a MONTH since I've updated the blog! That's the longest I think I've ever gone! Fall is always a busy time of year, but of course this fall has been busier than ever, what with all the recent changes in life. I truly don't even know where to begin with updating.&nbsp; I think I will just start with posting pictures.<br /><br />&nbsp;Chris' Birthday was October 16.&nbsp; He turned 26! Upper 20's...seems so old! Haha.&nbsp; It was a Tuesday, so I came home from Tuscaloosa to cook him dinner.&nbsp; Unfortunately the brussel spouts got a little...toasty.&nbsp; I partially blame our oven because it doesn't cook evenly! I promise, they didn't taste as burnt as they looked!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1qMzptz5u9I/UKZldcX5_XI/AAAAAAAABro/ALnG3M79t44/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1qMzptz5u9I/UKZldcX5_XI/AAAAAAAABro/ALnG3M79t44/s400/IMG_1206.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linguine pasta with a cream sauce and cherry tomatoes, seared scallops over crab salad, and the little burnt balls...those are brussel spouts, haha. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6jbxDt0MHLg/UKZlojKx-MI/AAAAAAAABrw/sj84JzoqaS4/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6jbxDt0MHLg/UKZlojKx-MI/AAAAAAAABrw/sj84JzoqaS4/s400/IMG_1208.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For dessert, I made chocolate fondue! Yum! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VgoGfkhaF-0/UKZlzPHyqBI/AAAAAAAABr4/YGvXfCrkMX0/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VgoGfkhaF-0/UKZlzPHyqBI/AAAAAAAABr4/YGvXfCrkMX0/s400/IMG_1209.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tammy contributed this bottle of port wine, which I picked out at a great wine store in Tuscaloosa called Carpe Vino.&nbsp; The owner used to teach band at Drake Middle School in Auburn, where Chris went! Small world, huh? Aunt Bette gave us the glasses we used...she and her husband used to use them on special occasions. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The following weekend, we went to Nashville for the Auburn-Vandy game.&nbsp; Yet another loss.&nbsp; Don't get me started on Auburn football! I'm so over it this year! Not really, but I am trying to pretend I am.&nbsp; Arg! I feel a rant coming on so I'm going to stop talking about it and share some pictures.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vmtClOVba1M/UKZnPz-8H0I/AAAAAAAABsA/_ZmPpKNkG1c/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vmtClOVba1M/UKZnPz-8H0I/AAAAAAAABsA/_ZmPpKNkG1c/s400/IMG_1210.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTTsiTv018w/UKZnYqKgjEI/AAAAAAAABsM/d5Q_Ltc2_7w/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTTsiTv018w/UKZnYqKgjEI/AAAAAAAABsM/d5Q_Ltc2_7w/s400/IMG_1212.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kWBepmcieDk/UKZooMC8gzI/AAAAAAAABsc/y2Nsuxlr8d4/s1600/229963_1962113805129_546291889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kWBepmcieDk/UKZooMC8gzI/AAAAAAAABsc/y2Nsuxlr8d4/s400/229963_1962113805129_546291889_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling.&nbsp; This must have been BEFORE it was obvious that we were going to lose...to VANDY!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifzwmZ2k300/UKZorJWhrqI/AAAAAAAABss/l1EmzKalnRY/s1600/314158_3975607824993_932061639_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifzwmZ2k300/UKZorJWhrqI/AAAAAAAABss/l1EmzKalnRY/s400/314158_3975607824993_932061639_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Matt and Lauren Emily and Belle Meade plantation and winery</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7nBqHdz83g/UKZottr2iJI/AAAAAAAABs8/_SkC3kV7TB4/s1600/525658_3975606304955_1079654430_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7nBqHdz83g/UKZottr2iJI/AAAAAAAABs8/_SkC3kV7TB4/s400/525658_3975606304955_1079654430_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute pic with the photo op fall display at Belle Meade!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tpTtDwJ3X8/UKZowc_pRvI/AAAAAAAABtM/ZzHYxsXKCR0/s1600/576301_3975604304905_525696424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tpTtDwJ3X8/UKZowc_pRvI/AAAAAAAABtM/ZzHYxsXKCR0/s400/576301_3975604304905_525696424_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys were not understanding why it was so important for us to take pictures with this wagon of fall stuff! Haha</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5HMdzUZdcw/UKZoushFf9I/AAAAAAAABtE/jdoYWYmMj7o/s1600/547_3975609825043_1640760011_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5HMdzUZdcw/UKZoushFf9I/AAAAAAAABtE/jdoYWYmMj7o/s400/547_3975609825043_1640760011_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to hit Broadway!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OU8t03-f9eI/UKZopPWUkpI/AAAAAAAABsk/Ob7yQ6GIk5k/s1600/306627_3975610185052_1669161783_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OU8t03-f9eI/UKZopPWUkpI/AAAAAAAABsk/Ob7yQ6GIk5k/s400/306627_3975610185052_1669161783_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing some Karaoke...of course</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsAjIS_Hk5Y/UKZosVOaI5I/AAAAAAAABs0/iTchBfn1oWI/s1600/480288_10101145965677665_978640926_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><span id="goog_486379005"></span><span id="goog_486379006"></span>The weekend after we went to Nashville, I went with Meredith to Dayton, Ohio to work on the Romney/Ryan campaign.&nbsp; This was a really neat opportunity that we got through the Alabama GOP.&nbsp; For 3 days we knocked on hundreds of doors.&nbsp; It was very rewarding to actually work on the campaign for the candidate that I truly believed could get our country back on the right track.&nbsp; Unfortunately, the election did not turn out how I wanted it to.&nbsp; I'm very worried about our country's future but, like Auburn football, I am going to try to contain my rants! Because I could go on...and on...and on! But I'm going to try to spare everyone.&nbsp; Between Auburn football being terrible this year and Obama being re-elected president, I honestly don't know how I'm making it through this fall! Okay stopping now. Here are some pictures.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gprtMGCesPE/UKZryooQ8BI/AAAAAAAABuM/3yToJK41KcU/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gprtMGCesPE/UKZryooQ8BI/AAAAAAAABuM/3yToJK41KcU/s400/IMG_1217.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We left from Birmingham and stopped in Huntsville to pick up more people.&nbsp; There, there was a group of people to see us off with signs, balloons, and Chick-fil-A sandwiches.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWM0WcUOfJ8/UKZr-TOvhWI/AAAAAAAABuU/cZ6f6A8BQuI/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWM0WcUOfJ8/UKZr-TOvhWI/AAAAAAAABuU/cZ6f6A8BQuI/s400/IMG_1222.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for door knocking on the first day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4rGZxZIJ3Q/UKZsG1-R9wI/AAAAAAAABuc/dil4Wkiyddg/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4rGZxZIJ3Q/UKZsG1-R9wI/AAAAAAAABuc/dil4Wkiyddg/s400/IMG_1229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a rally to see Paul Ryan.&nbsp; D.J., a guy Chris and Jon knew from the Air Force Academy, came with us.&nbsp; He is stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00uSKwQrJnk/UKZsMNXEr9I/AAAAAAAABuk/VYGbEZmNBZ8/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00uSKwQrJnk/UKZsMNXEr9I/AAAAAAAABuk/VYGbEZmNBZ8/s400/IMG_1230.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing an interview for a local news station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5JB2nnu30g/UKZsS_zPJ8I/AAAAAAAABus/Xrudy2yFmRg/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5JB2nnu30g/UKZsS_zPJ8I/AAAAAAAABus/Xrudy2yFmRg/s400/IMG_1231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEn35HlLLd4/UKZsZlj_JHI/AAAAAAAABu0/kZ1rdWx8J7g/s1600/IMG_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEn35HlLLd4/UKZsZlj_JHI/AAAAAAAABu0/kZ1rdWx8J7g/s400/IMG_1238.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Ryan! We were on the front row so we got a lot of good pictures. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90XV0FU205U/UKZsbRAkfAI/AAAAAAAABu8/kuekywI4qNU/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90XV0FU205U/UKZsbRAkfAI/AAAAAAAABu8/kuekywI4qNU/s400/IMG_1247.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So exciting! I got a picture with Paul! I'm a little sad that I look less than beautiful in it! Haha.&nbsp; I had to take it myself because I was afraid that if I asked someone else to take it, that I wouldn't get it fast enough before he had to go!&nbsp; I told him that my husband was in the Air Force and that we appreciated his and Mitt's support of our military.&nbsp; He asked where we were stationed, and I told him at Columbus AFB.&nbsp; He said to thank my husband for his service.&nbsp; It was so awesome to get to meet and talk to him!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmpNsJRPcFs/UKZsev06rSI/AAAAAAAABvM/AJ675SQmQWY/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmpNsJRPcFs/UKZsev06rSI/AAAAAAAABvM/AJ675SQmQWY/s400/IMG_1249.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Meredith meeting Paul</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yIU_FMbMTEQ/UKZsdvF-XeI/AAAAAAAABvE/cGeO7c0i2Ik/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yIU_FMbMTEQ/UKZsdvF-XeI/AAAAAAAABvE/cGeO7c0i2Ik/s400/IMG_1248.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />I'm so glad I got the opportunity to dedicate my time to something I believed in.&nbsp; One of the many awesome parts about my job now is that I have the flexibility to do things like that.&nbsp; I will definitely be participating in the next election, as well, and getting involved in between as well.&nbsp;<br /><br />A few days after I got back from my Ohio trip was Halloween.&nbsp; I came home so that I could hand out candy with Chris, but we didn't get many trick-or-treaters.&nbsp; As many of you know, we live in the older part of the base with the smaller houses (planning to upgrade to the new neighborhood after Chris graduates!)&nbsp; We decided to walk over to the newer neighborhood just to see all the kids walk around in their costumes and join in the festivities.&nbsp; We dressed up Mason in his bee costume, which was quite the hit...there were a bunch of kids dressed up as bees too.&nbsp; I wanted to ask them for a picture with Mason, but I didn't want to be creepy (haha).&nbsp; We left a bowl of candy out at the house, and when we got back, all of it was gone.&nbsp; So either we got a few trick-or-treaters, or one greedy one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fpd-DGtyRME/UKZvJLeiWfI/AAAAAAAABwQ/DhfSwTbHD6E/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fpd-DGtyRME/UKZvJLeiWfI/AAAAAAAABwQ/DhfSwTbHD6E/s400/IMG_1260.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />After Halloween was over, I didn't waste any time getting up my Thanksgiving decorations! I love the holiday season.&nbsp; From October to December is such a festive time of year, and I love getting the house all decked out for all the big holidays.&nbsp;<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H206Jgtg2CY/UKZvzxn0RvI/AAAAAAAABwY/2gjrkpe2SDA/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H206Jgtg2CY/UKZvzxn0RvI/AAAAAAAABwY/2gjrkpe2SDA/s400/IMG_1262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0pGul6aM_A/UKZwBFXRkrI/AAAAAAAABwg/tYZZPhQ_Wxg/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0pGul6aM_A/UKZwBFXRkrI/AAAAAAAABwg/tYZZPhQ_Wxg/s400/IMG_1263.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRUU8Pjx0mo/UKZwNPXO1TI/AAAAAAAABwo/f48pgLhFNN8/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRUU8Pjx0mo/UKZwNPXO1TI/AAAAAAAABwo/f48pgLhFNN8/s400/IMG_1264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ruaOxMYnWzI/UKZwYX-7SmI/AAAAAAAABww/RhQT7SPNW0Q/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ruaOxMYnWzI/UKZwYX-7SmI/AAAAAAAABww/RhQT7SPNW0Q/s400/IMG_1265.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCJooCoHIqg/UKZwi_HYbHI/AAAAAAAABw8/VOeuiSQibeo/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCJooCoHIqg/UKZwi_HYbHI/AAAAAAAABw8/VOeuiSQibeo/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zbGYeUFSGE/UKZwuaYbYfI/AAAAAAAABxE/IANG3WA0YqA/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zbGYeUFSGE/UKZwuaYbYfI/AAAAAAAABxE/IANG3WA0YqA/s400/IMG_1267.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Well, I couldn't very well do all that decorating and not have people over to see it! AND, for Christmas last year, my parents got me a set of Thanksgiving plates. So I decided what I needed to do was have a Thanksgiving dinner party.&nbsp;<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujxrpv1ceXs/UKZxiNk7JsI/AAAAAAAABxM/gxuemrnXzrA/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujxrpv1ceXs/UKZxiNk7JsI/AAAAAAAABxM/gxuemrnXzrA/s400/IMG_1272.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the buffet with apple cider sangria, the turkey wine glass I painted one day when I was feeling crafty, and my turkey plates!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Niz5LJ355Dg/UKZyJU8GsuI/AAAAAAAABxc/ybqJmtiKZgs/s1600/IMG_1274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Niz5LJ355Dg/UKZyJU8GsuI/AAAAAAAABxc/ybqJmtiKZgs/s400/IMG_1274.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those are acorns in those vases with the candles.&nbsp; Yes, I picked them up off of the ground myself, with the assistance of my helpful and dutiful husband!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ES333Hfy9ks/UKZyg5J_IeI/AAAAAAAABxk/x1wRNp0P2P4/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ES333Hfy9ks/UKZyg5J_IeI/AAAAAAAABxk/x1wRNp0P2P4/s400/IMG_1275.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner! I cooked the turkey breasts in the crockpot with a stuffing recipe of Paula Deen's, which included dried cranberries.&nbsp; Also, squash casserole and roasted asparagus. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSNuPZg5LBk/UKZywHiSabI/AAAAAAAABxw/Wo2hxRumNTw/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSNuPZg5LBk/UKZywHiSabI/AAAAAAAABxw/Wo2hxRumNTw/s400/IMG_1276.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin, Jon, Autumn, and our new neighbor, Sam</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qFAAX-KZH40/UKZy8vUxFPI/AAAAAAAABx4/Tkth6j--eek/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qFAAX-KZH40/UKZy8vUxFPI/AAAAAAAABx4/Tkth6j--eek/s400/IMG_1277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evan (Sam's husband), Mason (in his new sweater), Chris, me, Ralph, and Jenny</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62ayEbvK1YM/UKa7DHeZG9I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/hpYwyXClgWk/s1600/photo(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62ayEbvK1YM/UKa7DHeZG9I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/hpYwyXClgWk/s400/photo(29).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffet...in the middle was the hot spinach/artichoke dip appetizer I set out before dinner.&nbsp; Like an idiot, I forgot to take a picture of the main course...the turkey...on my prized turkey platter!! Oh well, there's always next year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqmyJeYhoKU/UKa6_wWWguI/AAAAAAAAB0I/-IpYGLvFs9c/s1600/photo(28).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqmyJeYhoKU/UKa6_wWWguI/AAAAAAAAB0I/-IpYGLvFs9c/s400/photo(28).JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin cheesecake trifles!</td></tr></tbody></table>This weekend, Chris is going on another cross-country trip, this time in the T-1. He will be flying to Lincoln, Nebraska...and making some other stops along the way, like Indianapolis and St. Louis.&nbsp; I'm very excited, not because he will be gone, but because my girlfriends Tori and Sara are coming to visit for the weekend! Sara has been to see me a few times, but this is Tori's first trip to the lovely Columbus, MS.&nbsp; She lives in Atlanta and has a demanding accounting job, but she finally has a chance to come visit and I'm so excited!<br /><br />Some more exciting news...Chris and I are both getting new iPhones in a couple of weeks.&nbsp; Our contract is finally running out with AT&amp;T so we are moving our business to Verizon.&nbsp; We have found AT&amp;T's service to be completely terrible.&nbsp; We don't even have service at our own house, despite 2 years of promises that AT&amp;T was placing a new tower near the base "soon".&nbsp; Now that I'm getting a new phone, hopefully the pictures I post will be much easier to see.&nbsp; I dropped my phone over the summer and the screen broke.&nbsp; I got the screen replaced, but I'm pretty sure it cracked the lens, too, which is why all my pictures are blurry now and the flash doesn't work properly.<br /><br />Chris and I are both excited about my generous holiday breaks! I don't have to go back to school until November 26! I will still have to do some work during the break, but I can do that from home.&nbsp; My classes end December 9 and Spring semester doesn't start until January 7.&nbsp; Breaks like that definitely make it worth it for me to be away from home several nights a week. We are actually going to get to spend some real quality time with each other and family over the holidays! Last year, that wasn't the case because I only got one day off for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas. I also didn't have any vacation days to use since I had just started, so we barely got any family time for the holidays.&nbsp; I am so excited about Christmas...I think I'm going to go ahead and start decorating for it today.&nbsp; Yes, I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I've just got all this Christmas spirit and I need to do something about it. I'm going to spend my time off doing some of the things that have been on my to-do list since August, and making our home super cozy for the holidays. <br /><br />Chris has been enjoying the T-1 more since they started the navigation phase.&nbsp; He has gotten to go on several flights to different parts of the southeast, where he can stop and have lunch or dinner and then fly back. He's been flying at night some, and just completed his first low level flight, which is a flight about 500 feet off the ground.&nbsp; Here are some pictures he's taken while the co-pilot has been flying the plane. In T-1s, there are 3 pilots in the plane...2 are in charge of the plane...Chris and his partner for that day...plus the instructor pilot.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-diq2pE9WhB8/UKZ2eP4Q9BI/AAAAAAAABy8/pgKIN3OX0aM/s1600/IMG_1285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-diq2pE9WhB8/UKZ2eP4Q9BI/AAAAAAAABy8/pgKIN3OX0aM/s400/IMG_1285.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Columbus AFB</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TXLf3suV62w/UKZ2fi6CTAI/AAAAAAAABzE/HQX2mN2nBRU/s1600/IMG_1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TXLf3suV62w/UKZ2fi6CTAI/AAAAAAAABzE/HQX2mN2nBRU/s400/IMG_1286.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, this is Auburn!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Everything in life (other than politics and football...) is good now for both of us...it's hard to believe that Chris is just about 3 months from his assignment! And that I am almost done with my first semester back at school.&nbsp; Thanks for reading, and I will try to be much better about keeping the blog updated during the holidays!<br /><br /><br /><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-54122593224016476352012-10-15T22:36:00.000-05:002012-10-16T07:47:16.639-05:00Congrats Mason on the LCHS Calendar! Congrats Becks on Being
Homeowners! & Congrats Chris...on Turning 26!!It's been a while since I've updated the blog! As you know, life has been busy since school started...and between football season and our other excuses for travel, life has been very hectic!<br /><br />I have two big things I want to share with you all!<br /><br />First of all...THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT because Mason was selected (based off your votes) for the Lee County Humane Society 2013 Calendar! He couldn't have done it without you! And I know all the sweet animals in the LCHS appreciate it, also.&nbsp; I hope you will all consider continuing your support of the LCHS by purchasing a calendar when they come out.&nbsp; Meanwhile...thank you so much, everyone!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38Lv0_Hf0kA/UHzND0jxxDI/AAAAAAAABkw/dxtNpJieU74/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38Lv0_Hf0kA/UHzND0jxxDI/AAAAAAAABkw/dxtNpJieU74/s400/IMG_1199.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibility for next years' calendar? Hehe </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Our second big piece of news is that this morning, October 15, 2012, we finally CLOSED on our condo! We have been doing what seems like a lot of work to get furniture in the place and make it liveable for me during the week.&nbsp; There is a long way to go as far as home improvements go, but for now, we are pretty happy with it! I hesitate to post pictures because the place really needs painting and it's not exactly decorated to my taste, yet. &nbsp; But we really appreciate all of our family who donated furniture for it and it really is starting to feel like home-away-from home! Thank you!!<br /><br />Let's see...the last time I updated the blog was at the end of September, after going to Auburn for the LSU game.&nbsp; As some of you may know, our season has become increasingly disappointing since it started, and I have to keep reminding myself of my vow to be emotionally separated from all of it! We spent the weekend after that in Columbus, and I spent most of it catching up in the kitchen (i.e. trying all the recipes that I haven't gotten a chance to try this fall).&nbsp; We went out to this huge pumpkin patch called...well...The Pumpkin Patch, and it was filled with photo ops and some of the funniest country-themes "amusements".&nbsp; This place is in Caledonia, about 15 mins from base, and is definitely somewhere we hope to return to next fall!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdK_2WLm9Xc/UHzNaDwF54I/AAAAAAAABk4/7MrEM7aPViQ/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdK_2WLm9Xc/UHzNaDwF54I/AAAAAAAABk4/7MrEM7aPViQ/s400/IMG_1198.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadly, Chris did not want to get in the picture with me, so Mr. Scarecrow sat in...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7UyOQ5bS-s/UHzNbe4UHUI/AAAAAAAABlA/UlnPSJAvkNs/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e7UyOQ5bS-s/UHzNbe4UHUI/AAAAAAAABlA/UlnPSJAvkNs/s400/IMG_1200.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Literally pumpkins of every shape, color, and size...see the HUGE ones in the back, by the flagpole?? Those belong on Charlie Brown!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGxcuAaz7IQ/UHzNd7CqJKI/AAAAAAAABlI/ya3YWBtSevE/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGxcuAaz7IQ/UHzNd7CqJKI/AAAAAAAABlI/ya3YWBtSevE/s400/IMG_1201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to take a picture of the "bumper tractors"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lwghaHCo0E/UHzNeznhuWI/AAAAAAAABlQ/mg0L7c4WMOU/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lwghaHCo0E/UHzNeznhuWI/AAAAAAAABlQ/mg0L7c4WMOU/s400/IMG_1202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These people are obviously entrepreneurs if they figured out that people would pay to jump around in a big trailer full of cotton</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrAb-tNo430/UHzNf5wNvHI/AAAAAAAABlY/6lJ8DYefSw8/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrAb-tNo430/UHzNf5wNvHI/AAAAAAAABlY/6lJ8DYefSw8/s400/IMG_1203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHb-htNTykI/UHzNgt38JZI/AAAAAAAABlg/RZ4T9TcSpSo/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHb-htNTykI/UHzNgt38JZI/AAAAAAAABlg/RZ4T9TcSpSo/s400/IMG_1196.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After we purchased the hay bales and pumpkins for my fall display, I decided to help myself to a couple of stalks of cotton...okay, it wasn't exactly for sale but I just wanted one stalk and one of the workers said she thought it would be fine...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rfl3eTquKU/UHzNhpp93fI/AAAAAAAABlo/PDnwZVIm4CY/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rfl3eTquKU/UHzNhpp93fI/AAAAAAAABlo/PDnwZVIm4CY/s400/IMG_1197.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turns out pulling up cotton is harder than it looks! I really struggled while Chris laughed and took pictures...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWfocVq5PTI/UHzNkLL8HmI/AAAAAAAABlw/d9Lyx1bJ5JU/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWfocVq5PTI/UHzNkLL8HmI/AAAAAAAABlw/d9Lyx1bJ5JU/s320/IMG_1195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasn't it worth it, though! </td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp; <br />Two weeks ago, instead of returning to Auburn for the Arkansas game I went to Dothan for my good friend/sorority sister, Katherine, and her (now husband) Adam's wedding.&nbsp;&nbsp; Katherine read a scripture from 1 Corinthians at my wedding, and I got to read the same scripture for hers! Meredith and my sister sang.&nbsp; The whole wedding was so beautiful! It was at a vineyard in Dothan...who know they had vineyards in Dothan? Pretty cool! I took some pictures with my broken iPhone camera, so obviously they do not do it all justice, but I still wanted to share.&nbsp; Once it got dark out, my camera wouldn't take any good pictures, so I don't have any with the bride! But her photographer got some, so I am looking forward to seeing those later.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zv5m1t5Bg-k/UHzOsVhXbKI/AAAAAAAABl4/Cr2Lt050YDQ/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zv5m1t5Bg-k/UHzOsVhXbKI/AAAAAAAABl4/Cr2Lt050YDQ/s400/IMG_1170.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtFhFv8xDZw/UHzOwRp0KPI/AAAAAAAABmA/8HX3kAFCXgc/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtFhFv8xDZw/UHzOwRp0KPI/AAAAAAAABmA/8HX3kAFCXgc/s400/IMG_1173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4FzXxrGrds/UHzO0BtD6OI/AAAAAAAABmI/aOUSi6mK4z8/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4FzXxrGrds/UHzO0BtD6OI/AAAAAAAABmI/aOUSi6mK4z8/s400/IMG_1174.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty montage of family wedding pictures! Adam's mom is from Columbus and his dad did his pilot training at Columbus, AFB as well. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7EfcOUiPYQ/UHzO3HhAkjI/AAAAAAAABmQ/YQCaRopoV1c/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7EfcOUiPYQ/UHzO3HhAkjI/AAAAAAAABmQ/YQCaRopoV1c/s400/IMG_1175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coolest guest book idea ever! Put your thumb print on the canvas and draw a line to the girls hand (like a balloon) and write your name by it.&nbsp; I'm sure that will be such a neat keepsake!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65h0LZWBMiw/UHzO5Gu5c8I/AAAAAAAABmY/ZgDxBlTl31w/s1600/IMG_1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65h0LZWBMiw/UHzO5Gu5c8I/AAAAAAAABmY/ZgDxBlTl31w/s400/IMG_1178.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First dance!! &lt;3!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOrO-Gv8v5g/UHzO8Z9INTI/AAAAAAAABmg/B1p90dQmAWU/s1600/IMG_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOrO-Gv8v5g/UHzO8Z9INTI/AAAAAAAABmg/B1p90dQmAWU/s320/IMG_1181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love outdoor receptions. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWFImiDa7mM/UHzO_JbqRZI/AAAAAAAABmo/Ag4LEvcDgvM/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWFImiDa7mM/UHzO_JbqRZI/AAAAAAAABmo/Ag4LEvcDgvM/s400/IMG_1182.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was officially getting too dark for my old broken lens to take good pictures, but here are Meredith and I in front of the vineyard.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9iTwqEDOAM/UHzQCzHTf4I/AAAAAAAABm8/sIzgsvNl_nI/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9iTwqEDOAM/UHzQCzHTf4I/AAAAAAAABm8/sIzgsvNl_nI/s400/IMG_1169.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />I got to stay in Dothan with Hannah and her fiance,&nbsp; Chase, and had an overall great time over the weekend! It was nice to have a bit of a "girls" weekend! <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EnNSS2L9zz4/UHzQMhT4W7I/AAAAAAAABnE/lSnwL4_xgk0/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EnNSS2L9zz4/UHzQMhT4W7I/AAAAAAAABnE/lSnwL4_xgk0/s400/IMG_1167.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haha, doesn't this look scrumptious? Fish taco, courtesy of Chef Chase Bradley.&nbsp; I should have eaten just 1, but someone talked me into 2 (didn't take much convincing) and I nearly popped the zipper on the dress I wore to the wedding! Lesson learned! It was delicious, though!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />That weekend, Chris went to Auburn without me.&nbsp; His schedule with flying wouldn't allow him to come to Dothan for the rehearsal and it was too up-in-the-air to even RSVP to the wedding, so I went to that alone. Anyway, he rented a Uhaul and loaded up the furniture donated to us by our families to bring to Northport for the condo.&nbsp; I met him at the condo Sunday night and he was able to spend the night with me there since he had Monday off.&nbsp; He was also able to join me and some of the other students in my Ph.D. class for lunch.&nbsp; I really wish he could be with me all week here.&nbsp; But, as we were discussing this weekend, when it comes to spending time with your spouse (or, anyone you love), the key is quality, not quantity...and we make the most of our weekends!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtrSNj4293k/UHzP0t0FAuI/AAAAAAAABm0/Cj2GzNg_DSY/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtrSNj4293k/UHzP0t0FAuI/AAAAAAAABm0/Cj2GzNg_DSY/s400/IMG_1194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we still own the Pathfinder...here it is on a rare adventure out of Columbus to pick up a Uhaul!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />This past weekend was career day, when many of the different planes that Chris could one day be flying once we leave Columbus come to the base and we can walk around and look at them, take pictures, and talk to the pilots about their lifestyle.&nbsp; This is "mandatory", so unfortunately we were not able to use the Ole Miss tickets we had since it wound up being a morning game. We wound up losing the game miserably, so I suppose we didn't miss much.&nbsp; Here are some pictures from career day:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yjr634ZlZQ4/UHzQgXSZaRI/AAAAAAAABnM/yQvQws2MMsQ/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yjr634ZlZQ4/UHzQgXSZaRI/AAAAAAAABnM/yQvQws2MMsQ/s400/IMG_1191.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of an F-22</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxNxUoodyQg/UHzQhN0HZLI/AAAAAAAABnU/PnNOjKJ56Tg/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxNxUoodyQg/UHzQhN0HZLI/AAAAAAAABnU/PnNOjKJ56Tg/s400/IMG_1192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucky picture of me with the F-22, hesitated to post it, but oh well!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8C51CzIkAP0/UHzQxdnQw-I/AAAAAAAABnc/jg7EU5MM9Sw/s1600/375876_10101006981353161_1817521772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8C51CzIkAP0/UHzQxdnQw-I/AAAAAAAABnc/jg7EU5MM9Sw/s400/375876_10101006981353161_1817521772_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C-130J (Chris is interested in flying this one)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ietQ745TsGk/UHzQyAgkeEI/AAAAAAAABnk/XQpVAUs591Y/s1600/540918_10101007015330071_1518325707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ietQ745TsGk/UHzQyAgkeEI/AAAAAAAABnk/XQpVAUs591Y/s400/540918_10101007015330071_1518325707_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B-1, which Chris basically described to be as a humongous fighter. This would be an option for Chris if he gets FAIP'd. See below:&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PyLp77f9PAI/UHzRKjLsyGI/AAAAAAAABns/oytykEAczBM/s1600/253041_10101007016377971_1643116707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PyLp77f9PAI/UHzRKjLsyGI/AAAAAAAABns/oytykEAczBM/s400/253041_10101007016377971_1643116707_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four F-16 engines on the B-1</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Friday night we went out to a party celebrating class 13-01's assignment night! It's so hard to believe we are in the 13's with the class assignments...Chris is in class 13-06, so that means just 5 more assignments to go! Eek! It will be here before we know it.&nbsp; We spent the rest of our weekend trying to be at least somewhat active (went on a nice, long bike ride), and treating ourselves to what has become a rarity lately...a restaurant meal! I have been dying for some sushi lately, and for some reason, I was feeling a little burnt out in the kitchen this weekend (doesn't usually happen to me, but I have been fixing ALL of our meals lately)...Here is what we got! Delish!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eig_rYjmJq4/UHzSMQQWYTI/AAAAAAAABn0/WTIL5uNEhgo/s1600/photo(28).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eig_rYjmJq4/UHzSMQQWYTI/AAAAAAAABn0/WTIL5uNEhgo/s400/photo(28).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Last night, Chris and I both came to the condo to spend the night since we had closing this morning at 8am.&nbsp; It feels so good to call ourselves first-time homeowners!<br /><br />This week is going to be a fun one that I look forward to documenting in the blog! Tomorrow, Chris turns 26.&nbsp; TWENTY-SIX, can you believe it!? I know, he's so old, haha! Upper-20's. I will be returning to Columbus to help him celebrate.&nbsp; On Thursday, the Columbus Spouse Club (which I am social chair of) is having our Oktoberfest Beer Tasting and Bunco social.&nbsp; Then, Chris and I head to Nashville for the Vanderbilt game! Fingers crossed that we will see Auburn's first SEC win of the season this weekend! My parents and some of our other friends will be meeting us there, so I'm sure it will be a great time.<br /><br />As far as Chris' and my professional lives go, not too much to report that would interest anyone, we don't think.&nbsp; I am getting into choosing the topic for my first-year paper, which I believe will pertain to government accounting.&nbsp; Chris, unfortunately, has only flown about once a week for the past few weeks.&nbsp; The most senior classes have been behind, so they have been trying to push those classes through, and Chris somehow or another has wound up with hardly any flights because of this (although others in his class have been more lucky).&nbsp; It's hard to progress when you don't get much practice, but he just has to accept it and do his best.&nbsp; Hopefully, they will catch up soon and he can start flying again regularly. Here is a picture he took lately on the T-1 flight line that is really cool:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOz7wossC5s/UHzSoEfAUeI/AAAAAAAABn8/_DWLAtmjQNo/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOz7wossC5s/UHzSoEfAUeI/AAAAAAAABn8/_DWLAtmjQNo/s400/IMG_1145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Here are some more pictures to share with y'all: <br /><br />I decorated for Halloween...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYA3Kb-3PCE/UHzS2ogW9EI/AAAAAAAABoE/7AoWjbEugvs/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYA3Kb-3PCE/UHzS2ogW9EI/AAAAAAAABoE/7AoWjbEugvs/s400/IMG_1151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hhgQbD7L7dA/UHzS6MG0v-I/AAAAAAAABoM/87qtzuQgrSw/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hhgQbD7L7dA/UHzS6MG0v-I/AAAAAAAABoM/87qtzuQgrSw/s400/IMG_1152.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure this pumpkin is older than me (my mom donated it to my decoration collection), but it makes a festive centerpiece! Haha</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_zzrrjp1no8/UHzS-PaidDI/AAAAAAAABoU/x8OAbfTRgm0/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_zzrrjp1no8/UHzS-PaidDI/AAAAAAAABoU/x8OAbfTRgm0/s400/IMG_1153.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEilE70zzL8/UHzTCNpyptI/AAAAAAAABoc/sspSiGKAQM0/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEilE70zzL8/UHzTCNpyptI/AAAAAAAABoc/sspSiGKAQM0/s400/IMG_1154.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is "fall", so I will leave it until Thanksgiving.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wfdo03qoq6U/UHzTGZxUEeI/AAAAAAAABoo/RxJvtzWrwtE/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wfdo03qoq6U/UHzTGZxUEeI/AAAAAAAABoo/RxJvtzWrwtE/s400/IMG_1155.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of a mix between fall and Halloween, and the little gourd things are some of our take-homes from the Pumpkin Patch. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlPZNRIdy2c/UHzTKrXYaSI/AAAAAAAABow/6AR0Oa4S1gw/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlPZNRIdy2c/UHzTKrXYaSI/AAAAAAAABow/6AR0Oa4S1gw/s400/IMG_1156.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zeK2TmVFrhk/UHzTOEKWhmI/AAAAAAAABo4/mYtO5ouwSRA/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zeK2TmVFrhk/UHzTOEKWhmI/AAAAAAAABo4/mYtO5ouwSRA/s400/IMG_1157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just ignore the extremely off-center coffee table...I think I had just vacuumed. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGHFkiYf0gs/UHzTRnYMxcI/AAAAAAAABpA/YFrbhhhWvnA/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGHFkiYf0gs/UHzTRnYMxcI/AAAAAAAABpA/YFrbhhhWvnA/s400/IMG_1158.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went on a special mission into town to find the perfect Halloween table runner and I found exactly what I was looking for at TJ Maxx! I wanted spider webs :) </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pqpw_CU9K2Q/UHzTUY1l12I/AAAAAAAABpI/4BzbQ77sHY0/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pqpw_CU9K2Q/UHzTUY1l12I/AAAAAAAABpI/4BzbQ77sHY0/s400/IMG_1159.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neither Chris nor Mason are big fans of my 3 foot tall light-up ghost.&nbsp; I was very attached to this ghost as a child, so my mom gave it to me last year to take home.&nbsp; Sorry, but BIG...BRIGHT...Holiday Themed??? This is a winner! And in the picture, with my messed up lens...it really does look like an orb. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dx-BYKIBfhQ/UHzTXYZWs1I/AAAAAAAABpQ/KR4hqkJB6SQ/s1600/IMG_1160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dx-BYKIBfhQ/UHzTXYZWs1I/AAAAAAAABpQ/KR4hqkJB6SQ/s400/IMG_1160.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I decided to try again with the light off.&nbsp; Yes, the ghost is very 80's and it STAYS. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_e7oDR2ECI/UHzTbL8G2OI/AAAAAAAABpc/snDJqe6tdmU/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_e7oDR2ECI/UHzTbL8G2OI/AAAAAAAABpc/snDJqe6tdmU/s400/IMG_1161.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hall table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMHp1FZfVgM/UHzTeQdS8cI/AAAAAAAABpk/pmGmmF0e1pY/s1600/IMG_1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QMHp1FZfVgM/UHzTeQdS8cI/AAAAAAAABpk/pmGmmF0e1pY/s400/IMG_1162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzFLpIfqZS4/UHzTh4MQJfI/AAAAAAAABps/imTEcaS0C_o/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzFLpIfqZS4/UHzTh4MQJfI/AAAAAAAABps/imTEcaS0C_o/s400/IMG_1163.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beloved Halloween tree!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-383iTcqS1pE/UHzTmOFZBDI/AAAAAAAABp0/uD73BK7Y4zg/s1600/IMG_1164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-383iTcqS1pE/UHzTmOFZBDI/AAAAAAAABp0/uD73BK7Y4zg/s320/IMG_1164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fall display, complete with the light up cat.&nbsp; My cotton is a little droopy, but after going through all that trouble to get it, it STAYS, too!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnT09P-vMNw/UHzToskiKAI/AAAAAAAABp8/i4J7glts1PU/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnT09P-vMNw/UHzToskiKAI/AAAAAAAABp8/i4J7glts1PU/s400/IMG_1165.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason admires the light-up witches broom and pumpkin. </td></tr></tbody></table>Last year, I went out of my way to make sure we did all the typical October stuff like making apple cider and caramel apples and carved Jack-O-Lanterns! I'm not sure if we will have the opportunity to do those things this year, but if we do, I will be sure to post pictures.&nbsp; Maybe next year, I will have more time to plan those things!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XUdJT7PHZ4/UHzVlITBsQI/AAAAAAAABqI/lWamJNEu5BU/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XUdJT7PHZ4/UHzVlITBsQI/AAAAAAAABqI/lWamJNEu5BU/s400/IMG_1147.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of weeks ago, I came home from Tuscaloosa on a Tuesday night to go to a spouse social.&nbsp; I didn't have a chance to eat before I went, because I got back just in time, and I was really feeling too tired to go, but didn't want to miss out on a social opportunity since I'm not in Columbus on a daily basis anymore.&nbsp; When I got back, Chris had made this dinner and had it sitting out on the coffee table (yes, that's where we eat 90% of the time, save the lecture, haha) along with two glasses of wine.&nbsp; I have the best husband in the world!!! </td></tr></tbody></table><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-75628944144103826482012-09-26T10:47:00.002-05:002012-09-26T10:57:41.728-05:00Vote for Mason! Deadline is Saturday!!!Go to&nbsp;<a href="http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html">http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html</a>&nbsp;and he is #48! Votes are $1 each and they go to support the Lee County Humane Society and are tax deductible! Come on, I know you have a heart! Go donate!!<br /><br />Hello, out there! I hope y'all are having a wonderful fall and football season! I decided after our loss to Mississippi State that I was going to emotionally separate myself from football this year.&nbsp; I've succeeded to some extent, but I should have known that wouldn't be entirely possible! I was proud of Auburn for doing way better against LSU than I expected us to...no, we didn't win...and I guess maybe that's all that will count in the long run, but I was definitely encouraged to see our defense show up and play an awesome game, and I think that was the most fun I've had at a football game in a long time.&nbsp; Scott came to town for the game, and so did Chris' friend, Jordan, who lives in Pennsylvania.&nbsp; We got student section seats so that we could all sit together, and of course you can't beat the student section when it comes to an amazing atmosphere.&nbsp; I yelled so loud at that game that I still don't have my voice back! Seriously, what a great time! I was pretty bummed out at the end when we lost, but that was just the last 5 minutes or so.&nbsp; The rest of the game was probably the best game atmosphere I have been to in a few years.&nbsp; Way to go, AU student body! War Eagle!<br /><br />Here are some pictures from our weekend.&nbsp; <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnU78U4cw0E/UGJnVHzCewI/AAAAAAAABfg/32XC_9Ep3ec/s1600/299470_3716773830180_236494266_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="341" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnU78U4cw0E/UGJnVHzCewI/AAAAAAAABfg/32XC_9Ep3ec/s400/299470_3716773830180_236494266_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tailgating...L-R is Jordan, Sara, Scott, Chris, and me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bk9IbFB4eI/UGJnY8aKMcI/AAAAAAAABfo/sbk3M-m_D1A/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bk9IbFB4eI/UGJnY8aKMcI/AAAAAAAABfo/sbk3M-m_D1A/s400/IMG_1137.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Warren and Liz</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuJlmToCtss/UGJnci1k0vI/AAAAAAAABfw/CHC6d_5YfpI/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wuJlmToCtss/UGJnci1k0vI/AAAAAAAABfw/CHC6d_5YfpI/s400/IMG_1138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kElios3rV70/UGJnftl5CiI/AAAAAAAABf4/wBlo7qyrqoQ/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kElios3rV70/UGJnftl5CiI/AAAAAAAABf4/wBlo7qyrqoQ/s400/IMG_1143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tailgating...this time with Andy, Marc, and Joseph...I should apparently have worn heels to this game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3_A-10iNro/UGJnitZ2I-I/AAAAAAAABgA/gjor_4b6ssQ/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3_A-10iNro/UGJnitZ2I-I/AAAAAAAABgA/gjor_4b6ssQ/s400/IMG_1144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AU Stadium...first time I've seen it this year...ahh I love it!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gL4Vwp6BjoI/UGMiHDPBTwI/AAAAAAAABjg/zlEZVDUJXok/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gL4Vwp6BjoI/UGMiHDPBTwI/AAAAAAAABjg/zlEZVDUJXok/s400/photo+(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the game</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StdKIPbkHe0/UGMiHzVmyBI/AAAAAAAABjo/iSZPHpDKJEY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StdKIPbkHe0/UGMiHzVmyBI/AAAAAAAABjo/iSZPHpDKJEY/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />The last time I posted, we had just come back from Atlanta for the Clemson game.&nbsp; Our September has been pretty consumed with football.&nbsp; The weekend following the Clemson game, my parents came to town with my sister and her boyfriend, Jason, to go to the Mississippi State game in Starkville.&nbsp; Now that was NOT an easy loss to endure! However, it was great having my family up and getting to do some entertaining.&nbsp; We tailgated with some friends before the game and then grilled out and watched more football afterwards.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arLY1BXqF7o/UGJoI_rQC4I/AAAAAAAABgI/NlbwUaYrwKo/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arLY1BXqF7o/UGJoI_rQC4I/AAAAAAAABgI/NlbwUaYrwKo/s400/IMG_1109.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That Friday night....I was so looking forward to using all my my AU serving pieces (for actual Auburn Fans! yay!)...this is Sauteed Broccoli with Mushrooms, Onions, and Toasted Almonds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-631SiWfJWGY/UGJoNLLU9nI/AAAAAAAABgQ/_UMRViuUMdo/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-631SiWfJWGY/UGJoNLLU9nI/AAAAAAAABgQ/_UMRViuUMdo/s400/IMG_1110.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruschetta (Friday Night)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wGQ5mmoYUMk/UGJoQq9pHRI/AAAAAAAABgY/1nOQBRWMKvY/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wGQ5mmoYUMk/UGJoQq9pHRI/AAAAAAAABgY/1nOQBRWMKvY/s400/IMG_1111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BBQ Pot Roast with Ranch Cheddar Grits... YUMMMMM!!!! (Friday Night)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61TdeQd2ekI/UGJoUO3oqaI/AAAAAAAABgk/_iPLSHWbjmY/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61TdeQd2ekI/UGJoUO3oqaI/AAAAAAAABgk/_iPLSHWbjmY/s400/IMG_1112.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday game</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3s0LNb79vU4/UGJoW9wZfJI/AAAAAAAABgs/MPoChgbqAaE/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3s0LNb79vU4/UGJoW9wZfJI/AAAAAAAABgs/MPoChgbqAaE/s400/IMG_1114.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thought it was going to storm, but it didn't</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEuKIe2JiLg/UGJoXsFRnDI/AAAAAAAABg0/jK6h9cvUGlE/s1600/534396_10152088127285694_1010215814_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEuKIe2JiLg/UGJoXsFRnDI/AAAAAAAABg0/jK6h9cvUGlE/s400/534396_10152088127285694_1010215814_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tailgating before the game (what a lovely picture of our entire bodies haha)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcKuJDbgpjY/UGJobVPJ7iI/AAAAAAAABg8/Nu4pbr1aQfo/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcKuJDbgpjY/UGJobVPJ7iI/AAAAAAAABg8/Nu4pbr1aQfo/s400/IMG_1115.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner Saturday...we made sliders with hawaiin rolls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnTS82ON7gY/UGJofHX4q-I/AAAAAAAABhE/TOlHbZmCx0I/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnTS82ON7gY/UGJofHX4q-I/AAAAAAAABhE/TOlHbZmCx0I/s400/IMG_1116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked Bean Casserole</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4n-UjYkYlwI/UGJoiaVcUKI/AAAAAAAABhM/yoS7lapvkq8/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4n-UjYkYlwI/UGJoiaVcUKI/AAAAAAAABhM/yoS7lapvkq8/s400/IMG_1117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toppings for the sliders </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUwF-lngmdQ/UGJolsBYgQI/AAAAAAAABhY/OM8CYt29tps/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUwF-lngmdQ/UGJolsBYgQI/AAAAAAAABhY/OM8CYt29tps/s400/IMG_1118.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burger Bar! Here are the "options"...guacamole was my favorite! This was really fun, and I would definitely recommend it for entertaining. It was easy and delicious. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WrsY36zZ-A/UGJope-YlsI/AAAAAAAABhg/kA6c3l8ijyM/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WrsY36zZ-A/UGJope-YlsI/AAAAAAAABhg/kA6c3l8ijyM/s400/IMG_1120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />As you know, Chris and I are pretty much always on the go, especially in the fall.&nbsp; The weekend after the MSU game, we took a trip down to Pensacola to visit Scott.&nbsp; Scott is going to be moving to Texas in a few weeks, and we are really going to miss him!! We have gotten to see him a lot since he moved to Pensacola, but I'm sure we'll still see him occasionally after he moves...and, hopefully, with the Air Force, our paths will eventually cross again! Anyway, it was great to get in a beach weekend before the weather cooled down.&nbsp; The water felt great...I always love the beach in September and October!! We picked up some more fresh seafood from that great seafood market, too, which I think we will cook this weekend while we are actually in Columbus.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSRzjDGUrro/UGJppctiOdI/AAAAAAAABho/edMfM6Fojk8/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSRzjDGUrro/UGJppctiOdI/AAAAAAAABho/edMfM6Fojk8/s400/IMG_1122.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Chris is listening to some commentary on the game...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7q8FB2HnpM/UGJprj6IVgI/AAAAAAAABhw/uJImnofYu6Y/s1600/IMG_1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7q8FB2HnpM/UGJprj6IVgI/AAAAAAAABhw/uJImnofYu6Y/s400/IMG_1123.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott don't go!!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_kDGqHPd4o/UGJpucfY0RI/AAAAAAAABh4/-vIbgq-aNpw/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_kDGqHPd4o/UGJpucfY0RI/AAAAAAAABh4/-vIbgq-aNpw/s400/IMG_1124.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon and Craig</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMoX468kOV4/UGJpw0-88bI/AAAAAAAABiA/lzSCKsaxrY8/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMoX468kOV4/UGJpw0-88bI/AAAAAAAABiA/lzSCKsaxrY8/s400/IMG_1126.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn and Dubs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXiVg_IiqT8/UGJpyko4JnI/AAAAAAAABiI/N_zLN7UzR3Y/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXiVg_IiqT8/UGJpyko4JnI/AAAAAAAABiI/N_zLN7UzR3Y/s400/IMG_1127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet wittle MASON!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xP1UURO_lo0/UGJp12SpQ2I/AAAAAAAABiU/YysII0t0OjE/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xP1UURO_lo0/UGJp12SpQ2I/AAAAAAAABiU/YysII0t0OjE/s400/IMG_1129.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mason</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Since I have two super cute pics of Mason up, I want to remind everyone to go vote for him in the calendar contest!!! Again!!<br /><br />Lately, I have moved part-time to our condo in Tuscaloosa. Even though we haven't closed on it yet, we were able to work out an arrangement with the owners to rent it from them until it closes. &nbsp; It has been so much less stressful not to have to drive 3 hours a day! I can actually get work done and not feel like everything is spinning out of control.&nbsp; The last couple of weeks I have been going home on Tuesday nights for my obligations as the spouse club social chair.&nbsp; One night we had a board meeting, then the next Tuesday we had a social (that turned out really well, by the way!) This is the first week that I am staying Monday - Thursday.&nbsp; I'm kind of sad, but it's not like I'm too far to go home if I really wanted to! We really need to save on gas right now with all our traveling, so I am probably going to be trying to cut back on the commuting as much as possible for the time being.&nbsp; It's a little lonely here without even a TV to give me some background noise! But I have been productive, which I guess is the point, and in a couple of weeks we are going to go to Auburn to pick up all the furniture that our wonderful families are donating to the cause!<br /><br />Here is our new fridge (yes I know, this is very exciting and blog-worthy)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WtDqCZ-VoKs/UGJqtBSU08I/AAAAAAAABic/KYDAwv9U6uc/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WtDqCZ-VoKs/UGJqtBSU08I/AAAAAAAABic/KYDAwv9U6uc/s400/IMG_1132.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Chris has not been flying as often in the T-1 as he did in the T-6, but these flights are 3 hours long. &nbsp;However, right now they are trying to push the class through that is about to graduate that is behind. &nbsp;Once they get them through, Chris' class will be able to fly more.&nbsp;He has flown twice to Huntsville. He flies half of the time, and his flying partner, Cody (shout out to Cody!) flies the other half. &nbsp;They fly out to an area and practice some different maneuvers and then fly to the base and do several landings. &nbsp;Some of the landings they do with only one engine to simulate an engine failure. &nbsp; &nbsp;He's had several tests, and made 100s on almost all of them! &nbsp;Overall, since he's just getting started, there isn't a whole lot to share, but I'm sure it will get more interesting as time goes on!<br /><br />Remember to vote for Mason, everyone! He's counting on you!!<br /><br />Til next time!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-16421933523190952702012-09-05T22:51:00.000-05:002012-09-05T22:51:54.871-05:00Happy Football Season!Hello, world! Happy Labor Day and Happy Football Season! Chris and I took a trip to Atlanta this weekend for the Auburn vs. Clemson game.&nbsp; Sadly,&nbsp; we did not bring home a win...but we still had a great time!&nbsp; We don't expect to win all of them this year, and we are at peace with that.... but I can only keep up this good attitude for a couple more years before I start getting agitated, so let's hope this is the last "rebuilding" year and that next year we can start winning our big games again! I'm not a poor sport at all, I'd still be an Auburn fan even if we didn't win a game for 10 years...but I <i>do</i> think that the point of playing sports is to win (sorry for those who disagree!)...sooooo hopefully these tough losses will eventually pay off, the team will learn and improve, and we can start winning again!<br /><br />Our friends Matt and Ellie were very sweet to let us stay with them in Atlanta.&nbsp; As usual, we enjoyed some eating out at places like Tap 1180, Gordon Biersh, and one of my new favorites, Empire State South.&nbsp; The chef and owner at Empire State South wrote the cookbook that I used for the August cookbook club.&nbsp; All the recipes from the cookbook turned out so well, that I had high expectations for the restaurant, and I would say they were met.&nbsp; The chef's name is Hugh Acheson, and our waiter told us that he is a judge on Top Chef.&nbsp; I don't watch that show, so I didn't know that, but I will have to check it out.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ii1VSPxRkZw/UEgTnTHy2iI/AAAAAAAABcI/sKiJ6AzuJfg/s1600/IMG_1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkMBnXi2x4w/UEgW36EKluI/AAAAAAAABdE/BQjSTmtmc5I/s1600/205884_3784423085494_493984531_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkMBnXi2x4w/UEgW36EKluI/AAAAAAAABdE/BQjSTmtmc5I/s400/205884_3784423085494_493984531_n.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out for dinner Friday night</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oal-BLoCjHw/UEgaOEVaBzI/AAAAAAAABeY/F4yKfl87ZDA/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oal-BLoCjHw/UEgaOEVaBzI/AAAAAAAABeY/F4yKfl87ZDA/s400/IMG_1099.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris with Lauren Emily's little dog, Lilly...she just loved Chris!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQTf85ElQQ4/UEgUF6zSTqI/AAAAAAAABcg/DWKtoOSrEyM/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VZM0bohj2o/UEgQ_NmuOJI/AAAAAAAABbE/cxiUtn4jUkA/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VZM0bohj2o/UEgQ_NmuOJI/AAAAAAAABbE/cxiUtn4jUkA/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ran into Charles Barley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNiuUNKaXpE/UEgRKYTrDuI/AAAAAAAABbM/YU1aOgHkTtA/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNiuUNKaXpE/UEgRKYTrDuI/AAAAAAAABbM/YU1aOgHkTtA/s400/IMG_1103.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Lauren Emily, tailgating at Taco Mac before the game</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eprgE8mLcJY/UEgRXL0HykI/AAAAAAAABbU/u9l5ipPz_y0/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eprgE8mLcJY/UEgRXL0HykI/AAAAAAAABbU/u9l5ipPz_y0/s400/IMG_1104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Georgia Dome</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIFeuP1njMs/UEgRhXNr_NI/AAAAAAAABbc/L-s9w-u3QAs/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIFeuP1njMs/UEgRhXNr_NI/AAAAAAAABbc/L-s9w-u3QAs/s400/IMG_1106.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warren and Chris at brunch at Empire State South</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HAXhgwF2O5w/UEgRjFPMMfI/AAAAAAAABbk/5QnCjfSVeks/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HAXhgwF2O5w/UEgRjFPMMfI/AAAAAAAABbk/5QnCjfSVeks/s400/IMG_1107.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warren, Chris, and Matt playing Bocce ball while Ellie and I relax in the (too hot) sun after brunch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Y-uOMdj64/UEgRkaX2BiI/AAAAAAAABbs/6h3PMpItbtY/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Y-uOMdj64/UEgRkaX2BiI/AAAAAAAABbs/6h3PMpItbtY/s400/IMG_1108.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yI_7zXX7Sqs/UEgS6St3A2I/AAAAAAAABb4/4LTthyQz9nw/s1600/aNewTurn-inthe-South-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yI_7zXX7Sqs/UEgS6St3A2I/AAAAAAAABb4/4LTthyQz9nw/s1600/aNewTurn-inthe-South-book.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the cookbook</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As I mentioned, I held the first monthly cookbook club at our house a couple of weekends ago.&nbsp; This was a lot of fun, and the recipes turned out great! Not everyone could attend...it's very hard to get a weekend that works for everyone! But Jon and Autumn came and brought a dish called "Southern Carbonara", and our new friends Jenny and Kevin brought peach pie and a delicious pear and pecan salad.&nbsp; Kevin went to Auburn, and even though we didn't know each other, we know some of the same people.&nbsp; Jenny and Kevin make their own wine, so they are going to teach us how because we think that would be a really fun hobby to take up between batches of beer! They brought some of their homemade wine to the dinner as well.&nbsp; We went to their house earlier tonight to watch them make a new batch, and we might have to pick up that hobby! Since we were hosting, we were in charge of the main course.&nbsp; I used some of the shrimp we purchased at the fish market in Pensacola to make a shrimp and grits dish that also included andoullie sausage.&nbsp; I also made some peach cocktails using fresh peaches.&nbsp; Here are some pictures.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQbhPPoOvAw/UEgTcD0bysI/AAAAAAAABcA/hyZFSeKM8CM/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQbhPPoOvAw/UEgTcD0bysI/AAAAAAAABcA/hyZFSeKM8CM/s400/IMG_1080.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the left, the Shrimp and Grits I made and on the right is Autumn's Southern Carbonara</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQTf85ElQQ4/UEgUF6zSTqI/AAAAAAAABcg/DWKtoOSrEyM/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQTf85ElQQ4/UEgUF6zSTqI/AAAAAAAABcg/DWKtoOSrEyM/s400/IMG_1084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies at dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6vDHSyYeKc/UEgT77h4QtI/AAAAAAAABcY/RgAD5WJPZC0/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6vDHSyYeKc/UEgT77h4QtI/AAAAAAAABcY/RgAD5WJPZC0/s400/IMG_1083.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQeq2NmzfGw/UEgTy5S44-I/AAAAAAAABcQ/X3zHX-3PXB0/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQeq2NmzfGw/UEgTy5S44-I/AAAAAAAABcQ/X3zHX-3PXB0/s400/IMG_1082.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny and Kevin's homemade wine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ii1VSPxRkZw/UEgTnTHy2iI/AAAAAAAABcI/sKiJ6AzuJfg/s1600/IMG_1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ii1VSPxRkZw/UEgTnTHy2iI/AAAAAAAABcI/sKiJ6AzuJfg/s400/IMG_1081.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The salad and pie Jenny made</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The main rules of cookbook club are that you choose recipes all from the same cookbook, and that you make the recipe exactly like it says (with some exceptions, since in the grocery stores here you can't find some special ingredients).&nbsp; I would definitely call this cookbook "tried and true" now, and will certainly be making other dishes from it.&nbsp; It has lots of very unique dishes with ingredients I have never tried together before.<br /><br />The weekend after my last blog post, we took a trip down to Auburn to visit family one last time before the craziness of football season began.&nbsp; We attended the annual BBQ and Brewfest at the Event Center, where we got to catch up with Chris' dad, and also got to have lunch with Tammy, Greg, Liz, Warren and Aunt Bette on Sunday.&nbsp; We also got to spend some quality time with my parents, and my mom and I did a bunch of shopping on Saturday morning. (I had to get some gameday outfits).<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIiWqGiphXI/UEgVsAXH96I/AAAAAAAABc8/F95kaXE5wL4/s1600/photo%252826%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIiWqGiphXI/UEgVsAXH96I/AAAAAAAABc8/F95kaXE5wL4/s400/photo%252826%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9wtcCM927LM/UEgVrBtvxGI/AAAAAAAABc0/qLI8DnFxMHI/s1600/photo%252825%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9wtcCM927LM/UEgVrBtvxGI/AAAAAAAABc0/qLI8DnFxMHI/s400/photo%252825%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our list of beers...each rated 1-5</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dQ98ZyRPuU/UEgVqCQvsQI/AAAAAAAABcs/itX-FDp8NMY/s1600/562861_3115750631904_880697424_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dQ98ZyRPuU/UEgVqCQvsQI/AAAAAAAABcs/itX-FDp8NMY/s400/562861_3115750631904_880697424_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday brunch with the fam</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Here are some other pictures to help fill you all in on the past few weeks<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqQEVquwJdc/UEgXDL9Fh4I/AAAAAAAABdM/37BUsisd8O4/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqQEVquwJdc/UEgXDL9Fh4I/AAAAAAAABdM/37BUsisd8O4/s400/IMG_1085.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rug underneath our table was SO FILTHY...we finally got a Rug Doctor to clean it.&nbsp; We didn't even realize how dirty it was until we started! Ew!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6NkV_1hEnk/UEgXLXxVmLI/AAAAAAAABdU/X2lPdEtbIIo/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6NkV_1hEnk/UEgXLXxVmLI/AAAAAAAABdU/X2lPdEtbIIo/s400/IMG_1087.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris with the Rug Doctor</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kq9Xuidi7T8/UEgXyNSr3EI/AAAAAAAABeE/IB2vmzVEtIU/s1600/photo%2827%29.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kq9Xuidi7T8/UEgXyNSr3EI/AAAAAAAABeE/IB2vmzVEtIU/s400/photo%2827%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a picture of Chris' class patch.&nbsp; He has about 50 stickers with this logo if anyone wants one...we also have some trucker hats with it.&nbsp; Mine is pink :)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk_KsjnL9HM/UEgXX7ygH6I/AAAAAAAABdc/DiLaE5xuNko/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk_KsjnL9HM/UEgXX7ygH6I/AAAAAAAABdc/DiLaE5xuNko/s400/IMG_1089.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorated the house for football season! Here is the hutch.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jAnwEOY2_UY/UEgXl4wALhI/AAAAAAAABdk/xVjmV5M8a2o/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jAnwEOY2_UY/UEgXl4wALhI/AAAAAAAABdk/xVjmV5M8a2o/s400/IMG_1090.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up close</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVfOD5m55SQ/UEgXvX8135I/AAAAAAAABds/jgsNTeBY6hE/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVfOD5m55SQ/UEgXvX8135I/AAAAAAAABds/jgsNTeBY6hE/s400/IMG_1093.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entry table</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCElFzVFEbY/UEgXwFXuEOI/AAAAAAAABd0/cHOHSUDIQVI/s1600/photo%2823%29.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCElFzVFEbY/UEgXwFXuEOI/AAAAAAAABd0/cHOHSUDIQVI/s400/photo%2823%29.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a nice dinner one night a couple of weeks ago before I started school.&nbsp; Here is a smoked salmon platter with some honey mustard sauce goat cheese capers onions, and crackers.&nbsp; Yum! They just started carrying smoke salmon at the commissary. </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARc3_2aA30Y/UEgXxc54ZzI/AAAAAAAABd8/U9b54DpahRQ/s1600/photo%2824%29.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARc3_2aA30Y/UEgXxc54ZzI/AAAAAAAABd8/U9b54DpahRQ/s400/photo%2824%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pasta dish I made with the scallops we bought in Pensacola. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />What else is new? Well, we think we may FINALLY have a solution with our condo loan and hope to close by September 30.&nbsp; The commute used to be an hour and fifteen minutes, but ever since school started back and my classes are during rush hour, it takes more like an hour and a half.&nbsp; I don't even know if I got a chance to mention this in my last blog, but at the last minute (as in...2 days before classes started!) the circumstances at school changed in my favor and I wound up getting to be a full-fledged first-year Ph.D. student with my stipend and everything (although it's not my full stipend that I will get for the next few years...it's much better than what I got when I was going to be mainly teaching!) I'm ecstatic because this means that I will probably be able to complete the program in 4 years rather than 5.&nbsp; However, it was a little overwhelming adjusting to the idea of taking a full load of classes PLUS teaching PLUS doing my first-year research PLUS commuting in a matter of days.&nbsp; Ahh! So far, it's not been too bad, but I am already sick of driving 3 hours a day.&nbsp; The sellers agreed to lease us the condo until we close, so I hope to be moving as soon as next week.&nbsp; A lot of logistics to figure out before then, though! We will keep you posted!<br /><br />Besides being a little overwhelmed and over-mileaged,&nbsp; I'm really enjoying my classes.&nbsp; Tuesdays and Thursdays are really long because I have class from 12:30 - 4:45...so add in my commute,&nbsp; the prep work I have to do to be ready for those classes, and my 10:30 AM first-year student meeting, and that's a pretty long day.&nbsp; Wednesdays are easy because I only have one class.&nbsp; Mondays aren't so bad, except that I have class at 9, meaning I have to leave by 7:30 at the latest (easier said than done!)....the worst part is that every day Monday-Thursday I have class til 4:45, so that means I don't get home until after 6.&nbsp; However, the silver lining is, I get (most) Fridays off, AND every semester changes, so it's easy not to get to frustrated with getting home late when I know that I only have to deal with it til December.&nbsp; And once I move into the condo, I can spend those 3 hours a day doing school work instead of driving, so I won't have to do it all weekend long while I'm home! I've been making the commute feel a lot shorter by checking out books on tape from the library...right know I'm listing to The Help, and it is GREAT! I hardly want to get out of the car!<br /><br />There's actually&nbsp; not much new going on with Chris right now.&nbsp; Ever since he transitioned to T-1s, he's been in the academic stage of training again.&nbsp; Right now he is studying for a test and a simulation, but he doesn't have to prepare for any flights right now so the last few weeks have been pretty low-stress.&nbsp; He's been making 100s on his tests, so I'm a very proud wifey! His schedule has been very flexible, too.&nbsp; Once he hits the flight line this Monday, he will have to map out his flights AND study...he will also have a 4:30AM showtime and go back on formal release for a few weeks (12-hour days) for 3 weeks.&nbsp; He has really enjoyed this down-time, but I know he's ready to start flying again and get to know his new plane.&nbsp; T-1s do mostly what are called "out-and-back" flights, where they fly up to 600 miles away in the morning, have lunch and then fly back in the afternoon.&nbsp; You always have a co-pilot in this plane, so he won't be soloing.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqmYiK_e6iY/UEga43Ex_XI/AAAAAAAABeg/nflRqxntE5E/s1600/603502_10100945832246461_1216461807_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqmYiK_e6iY/UEga43Ex_XI/AAAAAAAABeg/nflRqxntE5E/s400/603502_10100945832246461_1216461807_n.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty good looking guy, that husband of mine :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />That just about wraps it up for us over the past few weeks.&nbsp; We've had a lot of rain here this week, and it's been so muggy that it has been flat out MISERABLE! I've had to wear my glasses the past couple of days and they literally fog up so much every time I walk outside that I can't even see! We've been visiting the local farmers market a lot and picking up some delicious vegetables like okra, eggplant, muscadine grapes and tomatoes.&nbsp; After watching us buy some muscadine grapes, one farmer convinced us to buy a bottle of homemade muscadine wine that he had in the back of his truck.&nbsp; They aren't allowed to sell alcohol, so he was extremely secretive about it...it was funny, how he was feeling us out to make sure we wouldn't tell on him.&nbsp; Anyway, we took it home and it tasted basically like Boone's Farm.&nbsp; Oh well... at least we supported the local economy, right? <br /><br />This weekend my parents and sister and her boyfriend are coming to visit for the AU vs. Mississippi State game that's being played in Starkville.&nbsp; Hopefully we will win this time! The house will be very full but we are looking forward to a fun weekend watching football and grilling out with friends and family.&nbsp; Hopefully next time I write, I will be in the new place! I may only have a mattress on the floor but at least we will FINALLY have it! Until then, War Eagle!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXqMIb24Oag/UEgaEGo5cpI/AAAAAAAABeM/_putX8hx2hc/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXqMIb24Oag/UEgaEGo5cpI/AAAAAAAABeM/_putX8hx2hc/s400/IMG_1079.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to vote for our Shrimp Dog at the Humane Society website! <span class="userContent">Pretty please vote for him, he's #48!! <a href="http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html">http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-19041180047502166512012-08-15T22:52:00.000-05:002012-08-16T08:27:32.286-05:00Pilot Training, Part DeuxIt's incredibly hard to believe that we are halfway done with this journey they call "UPT"...and Chris will officially be flying the T-1 for the rest of pilot training! All Chris' closest buddies in pilot training will also be flying T-1s, which are the training planes for cargo planes.&nbsp; Chris has been saying for a long time that he thought he may want to fly the C-17...of course, that could change, and if the plans work out for him to be an instructor pilot here at CAFB, it will be quite a while before those decisions have to be made! He really likes the idea of flying cargo planes because you never have to fly alone...you always have a copilot and a crew, so things don't get too lonely...and you also have a lot of unique opportunities to see the world, since you drop off and pick up all kinds of cargo from all over the world.&nbsp; Anyway, as we said...goal #1 is to be a FAIP and if all that works out, he will have 3 more years to decide what he wants to fly next! <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTuGTWrAl8o/UCuv5XSa5oI/AAAAAAAABRE/eMj0M_y5A48/s1600/t-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTuGTWrAl8o/UCuv5XSa5oI/AAAAAAAABRE/eMj0M_y5A48/s320/t-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The T-1 "Jayhawk"</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Track Select, the ceremony where we find out what everyone in the class will be training on for the second part of pilot training, was last Friday.&nbsp; The wives decided to cook breakfast, and I really think everyone enjoyed it! Thanks to my ridiculous collection of various holiday decorations, we also decorated the buffet with a patriotic theme. <br /><br />I want to apologize in advance for the poor quality of most of my pictures! I dropped my iPhone while at the beach last week and broke the screen...while I had the screen replaced and it is fine now, my camera lens must have messed up too. I won't be paying to get it fixed...when the iPhone 5 comes out in (hopefully) October, Chris and I plan to switch to Verizon and get new iPhones so hopefully my pictures will be much better then!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khmSohn0D6g/UCuxoTtD5TI/AAAAAAAABRM/KLqJvv1sWdA/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khmSohn0D6g/UCuxoTtD5TI/AAAAAAAABRM/KLqJvv1sWdA/s400/IMG_1045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In line for breakfast.&nbsp; This is when I cried "STOP!! Don't eat yet! I have to get a pic...for the blog" haha. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kua1A75XCg/UCuxxQ---_I/AAAAAAAABRU/p3WkQ9hbVTE/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kua1A75XCg/UCuxxQ---_I/AAAAAAAABRU/p3WkQ9hbVTE/s400/IMG_1046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That quiche on the left is one of three made by yours truly ;) I made a chicken taco quiche, a spinach/mushroom/feta quiche, and a broccoli bacon quiche. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9kUtCe0zM0/UCux68zAQqI/AAAAAAAABRc/QdmfVTpIegw/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9kUtCe0zM0/UCux68zAQqI/AAAAAAAABRc/QdmfVTpIegw/s400/IMG_1047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the buffet. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q546ykw4C9Y/UCu1th2Y5xI/AAAAAAAABR4/gY540DCeiEE/s1600/IMG_1925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Before moving on to the Track Select ceremony, the class split into the 2 flights (that's what they call them...I'm not sure exactly why they do this, but while in T-6s, the classes get split into "flights", and pretty must stay separate throughout that part of training). Our flight stayed in the room where we had breakfast, and the wives were recognized...and we were given honorary T-6 pilot certificates! Haha I loved it...such a cute keepsake!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q546ykw4C9Y/UCu1th2Y5xI/AAAAAAAABR4/gY540DCeiEE/s1600/IMG_1925.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q546ykw4C9Y/UCu1th2Y5xI/AAAAAAAABR4/gY540DCeiEE/s400/IMG_1925.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting recognized (much better pic because Chris took it with his phone!)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8rDaFOY4mE/UCuzfcaRSzI/AAAAAAAABRk/_DNn6L5slcs/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8rDaFOY4mE/UCuzfcaRSzI/AAAAAAAABRk/_DNn6L5slcs/s400/IMG_1048.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our certificates.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OZJxwfvN5k/UCuzqL5BYoI/AAAAAAAABRs/Isj_8Buaii8/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OZJxwfvN5k/UCuzqL5BYoI/AAAAAAAABRs/Isj_8Buaii8/s640/IMG_1051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />After this, we went to an auditorium where the class sat together and waited for their assignments.&nbsp; All of the active duty students in Chris' flight were assigned T-1s, except for two guys who will be moving to Ft. Rucker, AL, to train on helicopters.&nbsp; In the past, there were as many as eight T-38s assigned per class to active duty students, but there were only 4 assigned to Chris' class, and they were all in the other flight. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgI9B3IsPBo/UCu2yjxrKdI/AAAAAAAABSA/NgqGfjhxXE0/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NgI9B3IsPBo/UCu2yjxrKdI/AAAAAAAABSA/NgqGfjhxXE0/s400/IMG_1050.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basically, they just had a Powerpoint slide on that screen where all the track selections were displayed.&nbsp; Track Select used to be a really big deal, and it was held at night and there was a lot more build-up...but thanks to budget cuts, it's not that way any more! Bummer!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bs9j9d1IXiY/UCz1IZJNFRI/AAAAAAAABaA/rdeecKc3O_Y/s1600/IMG_4961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bs9j9d1IXiY/UCz1IZJNFRI/AAAAAAAABaA/rdeecKc3O_Y/s640/IMG_4961.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris in mid-salute right after getting T-1s.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />After we found out that Chris would be flying T-1s, we went to pick up all his study materials.&nbsp; I got this picture of his classmate, Clayton, while he was on the way out with his stuff.&nbsp; You can tell they are going to be busy over this next month of academics!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TY2yamlJlg/UCu3o-f3DeI/AAAAAAAABSI/AWaxiXMJqQM/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TY2yamlJlg/UCu3o-f3DeI/AAAAAAAABSI/AWaxiXMJqQM/s400/IMG_1052.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wO3EcKWA7EI/UCu3yabmyrI/AAAAAAAABSQ/XUHQsR5EK58/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wO3EcKWA7EI/UCu3yabmyrI/AAAAAAAABSQ/XUHQsR5EK58/s400/IMG_1053.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to get a picture of us but, again, my phone camera is terrible now! I'm so bummed at how shadowy this turned out.&nbsp; I guess I will have to dig up my real camera and start using it again!</td></tr></tbody></table>Last week was a really nice, relaxing week because Chris took leave the entire week so we spent a lot of time at home together.&nbsp; Since he was done with T-6s and had not been given T-1s yet, he was able to do this.&nbsp; I have been done with class for two weeks now, so I've been having a lot of free time, too.&nbsp; Here is a quick recap of what we have been up to the past two weeks:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X065AmtcTDQ/UCu5mgsI_6I/AAAAAAAABSg/6tD1cGOhJoY/s1600/IMG_10352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X065AmtcTDQ/UCu5mgsI_6I/AAAAAAAABSg/6tD1cGOhJoY/s400/IMG_10352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a girls trip to the beach with Hannah, Lauren,&nbsp; and Sara...had a blast, as always!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>While I was at the Orange Beach with the girls, Chris went to Pensacola with Jon and Autumn, Mason and Dubs to visit Scott.&nbsp; Here are some pictures he took:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0XJJA6JoFY/UCu5_Wkn6zI/AAAAAAAABSo/dM4oUQfQvFM/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_0XJJA6JoFY/UCu5_Wkn6zI/AAAAAAAABSo/dM4oUQfQvFM/s400/IMG_1062.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason makes friends with a crab!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pu4V_XO6iSo/UCu6BHKkffI/AAAAAAAABSw/41HjcoGGyzI/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pu4V_XO6iSo/UCu6BHKkffI/AAAAAAAABSw/41HjcoGGyzI/s400/IMG_1063.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris with a soaked Mason</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD11t17WN4I/UCu6dmha9II/AAAAAAAABTI/qCupiKXFtiE/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD11t17WN4I/UCu6dmha9II/AAAAAAAABTI/qCupiKXFtiE/s400/IMG_1067.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not even the ocean can stand between Mason and his ball!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87y1u5o54cI/UCu6EqTGOaI/AAAAAAAABS4/WxslKYr1mRA/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjYkQirKdDI/UCu6GNQEXbI/AAAAAAAABTA/B93Mxi6yJg4/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjYkQirKdDI/UCu6GNQEXbI/AAAAAAAABTA/B93Mxi6yJg4/s320/IMG_1068.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon, Chris, and Scott...can you tell my hubby has been hitting the gym lately? ;)</td></tr></tbody></table>After I left Orange Beach, I drove an hour to Pensacola and joined the rest of the group for another day on the beach (Scott is stationed at the Navy base there, even though he is Air Force).&nbsp; Then we went to this amazing seafood market and bought a bunch of fresh fish to cook that night.&nbsp; We made a very delicious meal and basically sat around and relaxed the rest of the night.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKl-_IudsSA/UCu7gJ-4fFI/AAAAAAAABTk/WJYJgBYGXQ4/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKl-_IudsSA/UCu7gJ-4fFI/AAAAAAAABTk/WJYJgBYGXQ4/s320/IMG_1069.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seafood market we bought a bunch of goodies from.&nbsp; We brought home some fresh salmon fillets, shrimp, and scallops. I'm cooking the shrimp tonight! Still trying to decide exactly what I'm going to do with it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZqfrVqiiVY/UCu7X6s3ekI/AAAAAAAABTQ/yOA-cmv80L4/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZqfrVqiiVY/UCu7X6s3ekI/AAAAAAAABTQ/yOA-cmv80L4/s400/IMG_1036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris cuddling the shrimp dog after a long day at the beach and an awesome seafood dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeXq4GFmNl8/UCu7efI8GrI/AAAAAAAABTY/F059iNpYyQY/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeXq4GFmNl8/UCu7efI8GrI/AAAAAAAABTY/F059iNpYyQY/s320/IMG_1037.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott and I had a little jam fest...until I broke a string off his guitar.&nbsp; whoops :( Sorry again, Scott!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKl-_IudsSA/UCu7gJ-4fFI/AAAAAAAABTk/WJYJgBYGXQ4/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Monday morning, we had to leave early since I needed to be at the office to meet with some students.&nbsp; The rest of the week I spent cooking, cleaning, working out, and organizing the next spouse club social.&nbsp; Sounds like quite the life, doesn't it! I would go crazy if my schedule was always so open, but it's definitely nice to have a break every now and then, and I'm thrilled to take advantage of it! Chris and I went on a couple of long bike rides and are really enjoying our new hobby.&nbsp; I'm not doing the triathlon this weekend anymore because it is $60 and that was just too much to spend right now on our tight budget.&nbsp; However, I've gotten some potentially VERY good news about my situation at school this fall, especially as it concerns finances, and I'm supposed to find out if it has all been approved on Friday! So I will keep you all updated with that.<br /><br />No news on the condo, just still trying to get a loan.&nbsp; We have had a couple of new leads on banks that might be willing to lend to us for the condo, and hopefully one of them will work out.&nbsp; If not, we will have to consider whether we would rather look at houses (which are much easier to get loans for than condos).&nbsp; Will keep you updated on that as well.<br /><br />Here are a few pictures of some of our culinary creations over the past few weeks.&nbsp; Right before Track Select, we grilled out and tried some portabello burgers and grilled corn.&nbsp; We are trying to do vegetarian meals more often because they are cheaper, and, if you have a good recipe, you don't even notice if a meal is missing meat!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bejD8nDa3Rw/UCv1j0OFGZI/AAAAAAAABW0/VaW_8zu51PQ/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bejD8nDa3Rw/UCv1j0OFGZI/AAAAAAAABW0/VaW_8zu51PQ/s400/IMG_1038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--xSi3l8B6NI/UCv1sP9-9mI/AAAAAAAABW8/8r1gmlZF9-Y/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--xSi3l8B6NI/UCv1sP9-9mI/AAAAAAAABW8/8r1gmlZF9-Y/s400/IMG_1039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJa1d5vvGPQ/UCv15aj42iI/AAAAAAAABXE/T-9B9hon4rM/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJa1d5vvGPQ/UCv15aj42iI/AAAAAAAABXE/T-9B9hon4rM/s400/IMG_1041.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Served with caprese and grilled corn...so delish!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />After dinner, we invited Jon and Autumn over for dessert.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bo0cMg9t-sw/UCw22YB7_4I/AAAAAAAABYA/D7owbx2jxQc/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bo0cMg9t-sw/UCw22YB7_4I/AAAAAAAABYA/D7owbx2jxQc/s400/IMG_1042.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haha I guess in the picture, these look kind of like ginormous meatballs.&nbsp; But they are actually 4 chocolate lava cakes covered with a strawberry glaze.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zff-RLnk3v4/UCw3aQWU2UI/AAAAAAAABYI/1QO9wU8iNJM/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zff-RLnk3v4/UCw3aQWU2UI/AAAAAAAABYI/1QO9wU8iNJM/s400/IMG_1043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They brought over the perfect bottle of wine given to them recently by Jon's parents...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iSjc9uPIuI/UCw3l7w29dI/AAAAAAAABYQ/_vkU9sDjSTk/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iSjc9uPIuI/UCw3l7w29dI/AAAAAAAABYQ/_vkU9sDjSTk/s400/IMG_1044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It had a T-6 on it! (Or at least what looked like one to us)...and we finished it.&nbsp; Could you get any more symbolic? :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Saturday night, we had our across-the-street neighbors over for dinner. They both went to Auburn and are the same couple that let my mom and me randomly tour their house when we drove through CAFB in May 2011 to look around for the first time.&nbsp; Anyway, since then, Jess got stationed in Florida (she is also in the Air Force) and her husband, Casey, got FAIP'd, so he is here in Columbus for the next few years.&nbsp; Since she was in Columbus visiting this weekend, it was a good time to have them over and catch up.&nbsp; Here are some pictures that I took.&nbsp; Unfortunately I did not get a shot of the incredible ribs or blackberry pie they brought over...or the stuffed tomatoes I made...but trust me, they were delicious!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDNadU5dqdQ/UCw4_gZ3N_I/AAAAAAAABYc/Wza0gI-DYMA/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDNadU5dqdQ/UCw4_gZ3N_I/AAAAAAAABYc/Wza0gI-DYMA/s400/IMG_1928.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dDTHSBBegJE/UCw5Iij0VGI/AAAAAAAABYk/NpwQDiIZak0/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dDTHSBBegJE/UCw5Iij0VGI/AAAAAAAABYk/NpwQDiIZak0/s400/IMG_1930.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hXMIGkn1b8/UCw5Ttoz8XI/AAAAAAAABYs/SQwMlHISoI4/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hXMIGkn1b8/UCw5Ttoz8XI/AAAAAAAABYs/SQwMlHISoI4/s400/IMG_1931.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loaded baked potato dip...the dip contained sour cream, cheese, green onions, and bacon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UX1c4s85JfY/UCw5fXECiWI/AAAAAAAABY0/aaCljrijhqA/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UX1c4s85JfY/UCw5fXECiWI/AAAAAAAABY0/aaCljrijhqA/s320/IMG_1932.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked Bean Casserole</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Our weekend also consisted of a couple of parties in celebration of track select, and a trip to the Farmers Market where we picked up a bunch of delicious locally grown produce...some okra, which I roasted, eggplants, which I used to make eggplant casserole, green tomatoes, which I fried, and poblano peppers, which Chris grilled and put on some turkey burgers.&nbsp; We got some other goodies, too, and are still trying to figure out exactly what we will use them for.&nbsp; We love going to the farmer's market, but rarely can we drag ourselves out of bed at 7am on a Saturday morning!<br /><br />Hope everyone is doing well.&nbsp; School starts next week, and I should have plenty of updates on life by then, since I'm still waiting to find out what my class schedule will be! Until then...I will sign off with this cute...sad, but still cute!...picture of Mason.&nbsp; This is why we hate leaving him in his crate and usually just leave him out in the house now! We came back from Saturday night's track select party to find him like this...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBnES09Brdk/UCw7XvLEsuI/AAAAAAAABY8/PAz7JF0wGb8/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBnES09Brdk/UCw7XvLEsuI/AAAAAAAABY8/PAz7JF0wGb8/s400/IMG_1061.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just sitting there with his paws sticking out of the crate...like he is trying to get squeeze out or something...I just don't know about him sometimes!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-54864928947695792322012-07-31T18:33:00.000-05:002012-07-31T23:07:37.358-05:00Chris Finishes T-6s!I know I have been so terrible lately with the blog! And email.&nbsp; And texts.&nbsp; And phone calls.&nbsp; And email.&nbsp; I'm sorry everyone.&nbsp; I know everyone has probably been very angry with me! Maybe you can at least be happy when you think about WHY I have been so bad.<br /><br />I am no longer sitting in front of a computer screen 9 hours a day, with my cell phone sitting on the desk in front of me.&nbsp; Most of you probably know I've never been technology's biggest fan anyway. I just don't tend to stay on the computer much if I don't have to.&nbsp; Lately, I've been out and about a lot.&nbsp; I leave Columbus most days for work around 8 or 9am.&nbsp; I go to my office and prepare for class...I'm in front of my computer there, but I'm busy busy busy! I always get to the office just in time to have the perfect amount of time I need to get ready for class that day.&nbsp; Sometimes I need 3 hours, sometimes I just need one.&nbsp; I leave my phone in my purse and normally don't even look at it until I leave campus.&nbsp; I get back most afternoons between 2:30 and 3:30.&nbsp; I go work out, cook dinner, do errands, clean the house, play with Mason...whatever needs to get done.&nbsp; Rarely do I look at a computer screen after I leave the office.&nbsp; I love it so much and I'm such a happy girl! But I know this is no excuse for being hard to keep in touch with, so I'm going to try harder!<br /><br />ANYWAY, as you can tell, I am loving my new job! It's hard to believe that I'm actually finishing this short mini-mester tomorrow.&nbsp; It will be nice that I am getting paid next week, too.&nbsp; Unfortunately, this could be the last substantial paycheck I get for a while.&nbsp; I found out yesterday that I will only be teaching one class this fall.&nbsp; Since I get paid per class this year (next year, I will start getting a salary/stipend), this is not a good thing for our finances.&nbsp; We are trying to see places where we can cut back.&nbsp; Unfortunately, with football season coming up and many of our tickets already purchased, this may not be easy.&nbsp; My PhD advisor is trying to make sure I get 3 classes in the Spring, so hopefully this fall will be the only time we are really strapped for cash.&nbsp; I am going to try to get a part time job on campus, so hopefully that will help, too.&nbsp; However, I do believe it's true what they say, "money can't buy happiness".&nbsp; Even though I may not be making very much, I do enjoy teaching and I can't wait to start taking classes this fall.&nbsp; I know Chris is probably enjoying home-cooked meals every night, in a clean kitchen, by a wife who has been working out about 2 hours a day! Haha.&nbsp; Maybe he enjoyed my old paycheck a bit more, but he is, of course, being very supportive and he's happy that I'm happy.<br /><br />We had some more bummer news yesterday.&nbsp; Our loan applications to USAA and Navy Federal for the condo were both turned down, due to the property that the condo is in being 51% investor owned.&nbsp; Unfortunately, it seems that banks don't want to lend to people who want to buy properties like this.&nbsp; We are very upset.&nbsp; Our real estate agent says that he has another couple who is facing this problem, and has been checking at the local banks to see if anyone will do a loan for it.&nbsp; Unfortunately, he hasn't had any luck yet...and even if he does, we doubt the terms will be what we were hoping for. It's time to make the decision of where we will go from here.&nbsp; I know we don't want to "throw away" any more money than we currently do on renting every month.&nbsp; At the same time, my commute costs several hundred dollars a month, and the drive really isn't a very good one.&nbsp; I ran over something the other day and lost all the air in my tire on the way home.&nbsp; I have never seen any accidents on the commute, so that's a good thing, but neither Chris nor I want me driving 2.5 hours a day for the next 5 years. Hopefully we will come up with an affordable solution soon.<br /><br />Chris and I have both been very busy the past few weeks.&nbsp; Three weekends ago, 3 of my best girlfriends (Hannah, Lauren, and Lauren Emily) came to Columbus for a "girls weekend".&nbsp; Sara wasn't able to come because she had to work.&nbsp; We thought Chris would be gone to his cross-country flight that weekend, but it wound up getting pushed back a weekend.&nbsp; The girls had already made plans, so he had the honor of spending girls weekend with us! Haha.&nbsp; He mostly stayed at Jon and Autumn's house, which was perfect, because Autumn was gone to a wedding that weekend.&nbsp; That way, he got lots of guy time, while I got my girl time.&nbsp; It was kind of funny, almost like Chris was my "boyfriend" again...like, I would cook lunch for the girls, call him to see if he wanted to come over and eat, and he and Jon would come eat, then go back to Jon's to watch soccer or something.&nbsp; Later, we would go to the pool, I would call Chris to see if he wanted to come, and he and Jon and Ralph would come to the pool with us, but we would be chatting in our girls group, and they would be chatting in their guys group.&nbsp; It was a good weekend for both of us, and it always makes me feel good when people are willing to come to Columbus, Mississippi (which, let's face it, isn't the most exciting OR convenient place) just to see us.&nbsp; It was the perfect weekend for visitors, because there was an assignment night that Friday night.&nbsp; The girls and went to the assignment and watched our next door neighbor's class get assigned their planes and next bases.&nbsp; Then, later on, we went to the newly assigned class's celebration party.&nbsp; Unfortunately, we didn't take many pictures! But here is one of us at the party.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVTYgEalD6Q/UBhOWZk4cdI/AAAAAAAABOk/6-FrRxRYBw4/s1600/photo%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVTYgEalD6Q/UBhOWZk4cdI/AAAAAAAABOk/6-FrRxRYBw4/s320/photo%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />Two weekends ago, Chris went on his cross-country flight.&nbsp; There were several pilots and instructor pilots who went together in a "caravan"-type thing.&nbsp; He had SUCH a blast!&nbsp; Friday, they flew to Texarkana, where they refueled and ate some dinner, then flew to Little Rock for the night.&nbsp; Chris had a really good time in Little Rock, where they went out together as a group and did a little mild partying.&nbsp; He said he thinks Little Rock would actually be a pretty fun place to be based.&nbsp; There is an Air Force base there that people call "The Rock", and I have heard that it is a fun one to be at.&nbsp; The next day, they flew to St. Louis, where they got to go to a baseball game, eat a good meal and go out again as a group.&nbsp; He flew home on Sunday. Sadly, he only took one picture...but here it is! It is the St. Louis Cardinals stadium.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-vPWKoW1WY/UBhPOx7sgUI/AAAAAAAABQE/e83OsI-xsIs/s1600/216_10100897927038881_2138180131_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-vPWKoW1WY/UBhPOx7sgUI/AAAAAAAABQE/e83OsI-xsIs/s320/216_10100897927038881_2138180131_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />I went to Atlanta over the weekend to visit my friend, Lauren Emily (who had just come to Columbus the week before!).&nbsp; The plan was originally for Chris and me to both go, but since his cross country trip got moved, he was unable to join us.&nbsp; Sara came to Atlanta for the weekend too, so I wound up getting a second girls weekend in a row! For those of you who don't know, I just love Atlanta and would love to move there once our time in the Air Force is done.&nbsp; There is so much to do there, and such a great culture.&nbsp; My only complaint is that it's not close enough to the ocean...but I guess it will be a while before we have to make any decisions about where we want to live "permanently", so maybe Atlanta will have an ocean by then! Haha. Anyway.&nbsp; Such a great weekend shopping, eating out, going out, and going to Sweetwater...all the things you are supposed to do when in Atlanta! Fortunately, Lauren Emily and Sara took the reigns on picture taking, so we actually got some cute ones.&nbsp;&nbsp; I got to spend some great quality time with Tori, one of my best friend who was also my roommate and bridesmaid, as well.&nbsp; Tori lives in Atlanta, and I have been to visit her before, too...a few months ago when Chris was in Colorado.&nbsp; I miss her like crazy so it was awesome to see her! We also had lunch at a great tapas place on the way out of Atlanta, and Rachel was able to stop by.&nbsp; Rachel was also one of my bridesmaids, and I hadn't seen her in almost a year, so it was great to catch up! I lived with both Tori and Rachel in Atlanta while we were interning...we had such a good time, and even though they both live in Atlanta full-time now, while I live in Columbus, I just feel lucky that I live close enough to visit!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QwCGHhqHKI/UBhOZKSjrDI/AAAAAAAABO8/ISuJeqVzWvw/s1600/photo%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QwCGHhqHKI/UBhOZKSjrDI/AAAAAAAABO8/ISuJeqVzWvw/s320/photo%252813%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren Emily and her fiance, Matt, me, Sara, and Tori at Sweetwater</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IOSdupQXyA/UBhOapbporI/AAAAAAAABPE/V2UD5h94nlo/s1600/photo%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6IOSdupQXyA/UBhOapbporI/AAAAAAAABPE/V2UD5h94nlo/s320/photo%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren Emily, Sara, me, Tori, and Rachel after Sunday lunch</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Last weekend, I got even MORE girl-time, but, this time, Chris got in on the fun, too.&nbsp; His friend/college roommate/groomsman, Scott, came to visit him (us), and Sara --my friend/college roommate/bridesmaid came to visit me (us).&nbsp; Sara missed the girls weekend two weeks beforehand.&nbsp; She's a nurse and has a crazy schedule...but she was able to make it up for a weekend, and it just so happened that Scott was coming up that same weekend.&nbsp; We had such a good time squeezing into the house together...it was like the party never ended! Ha.&nbsp; Here are some pictures.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1T4YVyo1rF4/UBhObtbXIAI/AAAAAAAABPM/asUe9hPzJro/s1600/photo%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1T4YVyo1rF4/UBhObtbXIAI/AAAAAAAABPM/asUe9hPzJro/s320/photo%252815%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent some time out at the pool on Saturday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nFKTv2GHV0A/UBhOcu549hI/AAAAAAAABPU/4RMdLtaeYN4/s1600/photo%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nFKTv2GHV0A/UBhOcu549hI/AAAAAAAABPU/4RMdLtaeYN4/s320/photo%252816%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday evening, we decided to grill out instead of going out to eat.&nbsp; We ate this delicious meal!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PhKoiJLr_I/UBhOdZNWIbI/AAAAAAAABPc/oFMWo9F1kvc/s1600/photo%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PhKoiJLr_I/UBhOdZNWIbI/AAAAAAAABPc/oFMWo9F1kvc/s320/photo%252817%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh baked bread from our bread machine with an olive oil dip, caprese...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xyD8o9pfsYs/UBhOecjJe2I/AAAAAAAABPk/Iry4xX5vG9M/s1600/photo%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xyD8o9pfsYs/UBhOecjJe2I/AAAAAAAABPk/Iry4xX5vG9M/s320/photo%252818%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grilled asparagus, twice baked and mashed cauliflower...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k00mbOjOe50/UBhOfCx8gGI/AAAAAAAABPs/_G5VPiKnctU/s1600/photo%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k00mbOjOe50/UBhOfCx8gGI/AAAAAAAABPs/_G5VPiKnctU/s320/photo%252819%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course, delicious steak...seasoned and grilled to perfection by Lt. Chris Beck! haha</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dekBsV6nPWM/UBhOgFakjpI/AAAAAAAABP0/oxJd6KGl4HY/s1600/photo%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dekBsV6nPWM/UBhOgFakjpI/AAAAAAAABP0/oxJd6KGl4HY/s320/photo%252820%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a picture of a group outing to local dive, the Marina, Saturday night...That's Scott, on the right, and Chris' buddy, Ralph, on the left.&nbsp; Of course those two sweaty, but still glamourous (haha) girls in the middle are Sara and me. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />So I know you may be thinking that I am looking forward to a quiet weekend at home with my husband...and I am! BUT...first I have one more girls weekend! I know, I know! I guess as long as 90% of my friends are all teachers, the summers will always be busy! I'm so excited because, when we all got out of college, we decided to make a real effort to always get together for an annual beach trip.&nbsp; We have officially, as hard as it was to coordinate all of our schedules, planned the second annual beach trip.&nbsp; Last year, we did it right after graduation at Martin's condo in Panama City.&nbsp; This year, we are doing it at Lauren's family's condo....on the last possible weekend before school starts back for everyone.&nbsp; And now that I'm basically a teacher...my schedule fits right in! Lucky for me, school doesn't start back as early in college! After I give my final exam tomorrow, I'm headed straight down to Orange Beach for 5 days of laying like a vegetable in the sun (with my sunscreen on, of course). Then...it's back to Columbus where I hope to spend the next few weekends relaxing with Chris, preparing for school to start...and getting ready for FOOTBALL! Woo! We are looking forward to continue experimenting in the kitchen...and on the grill.&nbsp; Here are some pictures of some of our latest culinary projects...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piG5fYcJi5o/UBhOYbmxV2I/AAAAAAAABOw/tslfOdDLjjU/s1600/photo%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piG5fYcJi5o/UBhOYbmxV2I/AAAAAAAABOw/tslfOdDLjjU/s320/photo%252812%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ralph gave us some fish filets that his friend caught in the gulf.&nbsp; Chris found a recipe for it in his new favorite read, Men's Health magazine.&nbsp; We chopped up some vegetables like red peppers and tomatoes as well as some lemon and parsley, and took pretty much everything out of our spice cabinet...along with some olive oil, jalapenos, you get the idea.&nbsp; We put the filets in tin foil with the vegetables, lemon, and olive oil and each chose our own spices and additional toppings...then wrapped up everything in the tin foil, and Chris grilled it for a little while.&nbsp; All the moisture was held in the tin foil.&nbsp; These turned out DELICIOUS! Yay for Chris! Rarely does he chose a recipe to try, but he did really well on this one.&nbsp; Both of our fish filets turned out totally different, but they were both delicious. We will be trying this again. Hopefully, while I am at the beach this weekend, I can pick up some fresh fish while I'm there. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq-7nlN8eGA/UBhOhLVJGCI/AAAAAAAABP8/KY_xT7uBtkI/s1600/photo%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq-7nlN8eGA/UBhOhLVJGCI/AAAAAAAABP8/KY_xT7uBtkI/s320/photo%252821%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of nights ago, we tried grilling some ribs, which were on sale at the commissary.&nbsp; Chris prepared the dry rub, marinated, and grilled the ribs while I took care of the sides.&nbsp; They were really delicious! Next time, we are going to marinate them all day and then cook them slowly over a few hours.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br />As for Chris, he will probably do a lot of relaxing this weekend since he, as of today, is officially DONE with T-6s! Yesterday marked his fourth and final check ride in the T-6.&nbsp; He passed with flying colors, with a grade of 4E...the "E" standing for "Excellent", and the "4" standing for just 4 downgrades! Believe me, you can have LOTS more than that. This check ride was to grade him on his use of instruments. Obviously, there are times when a pilot cannot rely on his view to fly...like when it's night time, or the weather is bad.&nbsp; So they use their instruments.&nbsp; Instruments are pretty complicated and require lots of studying and practice to get the hang of.&nbsp; Naturally, I'm very proud of Chris for doing so well on his check ride!<br /><br />Today, as kind of his "capstone" in T-6s, Chris did what's called an "out-and-back"...he flew (with his instructor) down to Gulfport, where they grabbed some lunch, and then flew back.&nbsp; So now he's officially done! He has to turn in his preference for T-38s or T-1s by Friday...he is still deciding which he will put first.&nbsp; Then, next Friday (August 10) is Track Select.&nbsp; We will find out if he will be taking the T-38 "track" or the T-1 one.&nbsp; If he chooses T-1s, it is basically a given that he will be on the T-1 track.&nbsp; If he chooses T-38s, it could go either way, and will largely have to do with his class rank, how many people in his class want to fly T-38s, and how many T-38s that Uncle Sam decides to "drop" that week. Hopes and prayers that Chris makes the best choice for us, whatever that is....and that Uncle Sam does, too!<br /><br />That is just about all I have to share at this point. Except for one thing...I want to solicit more votes for Mason in his calendar contest with the Lee County Humane Society! The website is http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html and Mason is #48.&nbsp; The voting does go on for a while, until September, in fact.&nbsp; The votes are $1 each, and they, of course, go to a wonderful cause and are tax deductible! So keep your receipt! Mason appreciates your support...and so do we!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFjPQdrp1oc/UBhOXeBDttI/AAAAAAAABOs/EMhu6WU5nQg/s1600/photo%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFjPQdrp1oc/UBhOXeBDttI/AAAAAAAABOs/EMhu6WU5nQg/s320/photo%252811%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-19922465030789028812012-07-11T20:27:00.000-05:002012-07-11T20:48:01.236-05:00Happy Anniversary to Us!I can't believe I have neglected to do any blogging in almost three weeks! Actually...yes I can.&nbsp; There has been a lot going on in the past three weeks.&nbsp; I finished my job at Cadence and started at Alabama.&nbsp; We took a trip to Auburn, a trip to Memphis, and had our first anniversary! Chris passed his formation check ride and is finally off of formal release.&nbsp; And Mason is in the running for the 2013 Lee County Humane Society calendar! That is the short synopsis of what has been happening with us.&nbsp; Read on if you want the long version!<br /><br />Before getting into the events I just want to ask you that if you read this blog...pReTtY PLeAsE go vote for Mason in the Lee County Humane Society calendar contest!! He will be so excited if he wins one of the 13 picture spots and so will we! :)&nbsp; Votes are $1 each...and they go to a great cause! All you animal lovers out there, I know you would love to make a few tax-deductible donations... here is the site...<br /><br /><a href="http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html">http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html</a><br /><br />Your support is very much appreciated! I decided on the picture to submit by the feedback from the blog... Mason is #48!<br /><br /><br />Let's see, where to begin? I guess I will just go in chronological order. Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend of June 23.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUsHaKjWEIA/T_4NhRacU-I/AAAAAAAABIc/x0pAJzZWRlM/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUsHaKjWEIA/T_4NhRacU-I/AAAAAAAABIc/x0pAJzZWRlM/s320/IMG_0902.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Jon and Autumn at Bin 612, a restaurant in Starkville.&nbsp; Thanks a lot, Chris, for messing up the picture!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2t-XOUbvjxc/T_4Nq6f8nPI/AAAAAAAABIk/d_iRoKhQ4LQ/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2t-XOUbvjxc/T_4Nq6f8nPI/AAAAAAAABIk/d_iRoKhQ4LQ/s320/IMG_0904.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serious pilots</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXNL5eDd5f0/T_4NtEcmX6I/AAAAAAAABIs/sLzmxtgXnHE/s1600/IMG_0906.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXNL5eDd5f0/T_4NtEcmX6I/AAAAAAAABIs/sLzmxtgXnHE/s320/IMG_0906.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Nancy in our floppy hats at the pool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8kmn4-e_DU/T_4N3VZnrOI/AAAAAAAABI0/_cLBcZ18LgE/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8kmn4-e_DU/T_4N3VZnrOI/AAAAAAAABI0/_cLBcZ18LgE/s320/IMG_0908.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made lime + mint sherbert in our ice cream machine.&nbsp; It was delish!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />My last week of working at Cadence was pretty easy and uneventful.&nbsp; I finished on Friday, June 29. June 30 was the big birthday party in Auburn to celebrate Chris, Sr's 60th and Aunt Bette's 90th birthdays.&nbsp; We had such a blast at the party visiting with family! It was very kind of Tammy to organize it, and everyone had fun.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Cs-z-ohOBo/T_4PaSdQCzI/AAAAAAAABI8/F4l89BR6zYw/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Cs-z-ohOBo/T_4PaSdQCzI/AAAAAAAABI8/F4l89BR6zYw/s320/IMG_0918.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Warren</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbj2ESFBsMg/T_4PmCqsOaI/AAAAAAAABJE/F6QMWHL-K1Q/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbj2ESFBsMg/T_4PmCqsOaI/AAAAAAAABJE/F6QMWHL-K1Q/s320/IMG_0919.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my parents</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1jDxpY_taA/T_4QLnpl2xI/AAAAAAAABJM/YpHULsChnUw/s1600/428867_2957834844108_1163835540_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1jDxpY_taA/T_4QLnpl2xI/AAAAAAAABJM/YpHULsChnUw/s320/428867_2957834844108_1163835540_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F1r3oNK1qgo/T_4QMDtbRSI/AAAAAAAABJU/dCqZlYur_3s/s1600/482105_2957821603777_885260295_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F1r3oNK1qgo/T_4QMDtbRSI/AAAAAAAABJU/dCqZlYur_3s/s320/482105_2957821603777_885260295_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladies picture!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgnGjBi61U8/T_4QkR2at-I/AAAAAAAABJk/XBgo02d9nzA/s1600/534628_2957823963836_1650901867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgnGjBi61U8/T_4QkR2at-I/AAAAAAAABJk/XBgo02d9nzA/s320/534628_2957823963836_1650901867_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guys picture...missing Chris Sr. and Warren, though!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1YhAOuvB88/T_4QMgib28I/AAAAAAAABJc/3vsV9_EUb5E/s1600/599328_2957832684054_1086486003_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1YhAOuvB88/T_4QMgib28I/AAAAAAAABJc/3vsV9_EUb5E/s320/599328_2957832684054_1086486003_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Sunday, I cooked lunch for my family to celebrate Father's Day with my dad. I made green beans with cherry tomatoes, Boursin potatoes, and chicken with sour cream sauce.&nbsp; Mostly Paula Deen recipes...Daddy always likes those!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beL1CFspvwI/T_4Q5mi7cHI/AAAAAAAABJs/aoYGycVqq7U/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beL1CFspvwI/T_4Q5mi7cHI/AAAAAAAABJs/aoYGycVqq7U/s320/IMG_0922.JPG" width="238" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monday, it was time to report for duty in Tuscaloosa! I got my office...okay, no more office for me! I now have a cubicle in a room shared with other Ph.D. students.&nbsp; It's nice not to be so isolated! I made some copies and basically just gathered a bunch of materials for class starting Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tuesday and Wednesday, I stayed in Columbus.&nbsp; Wednesday, of course, was the Fourth of July.&nbsp; One of my old coworkers from Cadence invited us to his sister-in-law and brother's cookout at the pool at his grandmother's house, which is one of Columbus' historic antebellum homes.&nbsp; We were so excited about the opportunity to make some new friends! We had such a great time.&nbsp; Many of the people there were Auburn grads.&nbsp; They were all our age, but none of them are in the military...&nbsp; it's great to "mix it up" sometimes. I definitely plan on giving some of the girls I met a call whenever we spend another weekend in Columbus.&nbsp; It would be fun to get together with any of those couples again. I brought a dessert...it's called "Twinkie Delight", but don't let the common sounding name fool you into thinking it's not delicious! Even though the recipe just called for strawberries, I decided to be more patriotic:&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Jgpw8NhWg/T_4S2ooSzwI/AAAAAAAABJ0/gUkU6veNYVs/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Jgpw8NhWg/T_4S2ooSzwI/AAAAAAAABJ0/gUkU6veNYVs/s320/IMG_0931.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thursday was the big day! My first day teaching.&nbsp; I am teaching senior auditing.&nbsp; I was pretty nervous, but it turns out there was nothing to be nervous about.&nbsp; Obviously I know everything I need to know to be able to teach a class of that level, but I was still nervous that something would go wrong. Luckily it did not! I think my students like me, and I like them.&nbsp; The class is only a month since it is a summer "mini-mester".&nbsp; It's already 1/4 of the way through, and the first test is Friday.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the building where I will be residing for the next 4-5 years! Actually, my office is in a building next door, but it's not much to look at. This is the building where all the non-Ph.D. student's offices are, as well as our accounting office.&nbsp; For those who are familiar with Auburn, it's amazing to me how similar Alabama's business building looks to Lowder! Like if you took away Lowder's gold dome and added columns and stairs to the front, this is what it would look like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mxPxAWPqKvY/T_4UQYFtiGI/AAAAAAAABJ8/Q5dx3WT3FjI/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mxPxAWPqKvY/T_4UQYFtiGI/AAAAAAAABJ8/Q5dx3WT3FjI/s320/IMG_0934.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the weekend, we took a little anniversary trip to Memphis.&nbsp; This trip was very spur-of-the-moment.&nbsp; I made our reservations online the Monday night beforehand via Travelocity's "Top Secret Hotel", where you book a hotel knowing only the price, number of "stars" it has, and general location.&nbsp; I've had really good experiences using both this and Priceline negotiator, so we tried it in Memphis and wound up staying in the Crowne Plaza in downtown Memphis for less than $100 a night.&nbsp; It was the most satisfied I have been with a hotel in a while, so that part was really enjoyable! We enjoyed our visit, although...due, partly, to lack of planning...we kind of got there and didn't really know what to do! So we enjoyed a relaxing weekend consisting of eating at a couple of nice restaurants and visiting Ghost River Brewing Company.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The highlight of the trip was probably our dinner at a restaurant called Flight on Saturday night.&nbsp; What a fantastic experience! Everything on the menu (almost) is served in "flights" of 3.&nbsp; We didn't choose a flight appetizer (although they had them, we got the charcuterie), but we got a flight of salads/soup consisting of a watermelon and feta salad, a green salad with candied pecans, and an incredible lobster bisque.&nbsp; We ordered two flights of white wines to complement our appetizer and salads.&nbsp; The flights came with a piece of paper describing the wine and were expertly matched to be great for tasting one after the other.&nbsp; Actually, this restaurant boasted one of the top 50 wine lists in the country. Anyway, we ordered an extra portion for our flight of entrees, and wound up with four, which we split between us.&nbsp; Everything was SO delicious! Of course, we ordered two flights of red wines with our entrees, and compared notes on which ones we each liked the best and least.&nbsp; We couldn't resist ourselves, and wound up ordering a flight of desserts too, and dessert wines! (Don't worry, the hotel had a shuttle to drive us back! haha).&nbsp; Moral of the story....do not leave Memphis without visiting this restaurant, even if it's just for a flight of wine and appetizers!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvmRNU91wXM/T_4W41YOMsI/AAAAAAAABKc/mdmB-mNnUfw/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvmRNU91wXM/T_4W41YOMsI/AAAAAAAABKc/mdmB-mNnUfw/s320/IMG_0948.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out downtown</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yxfRtnAcrd0/T_4XCt_41-I/AAAAAAAABKo/as9yDSh_nV0/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yxfRtnAcrd0/T_4XCt_41-I/AAAAAAAABKo/as9yDSh_nV0/s320/IMG_0949.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Ghost River Brewing Company</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59VCH9lXdSk/T_4XPMBkSTI/AAAAAAAABKw/XjP4JZTkTQU/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59VCH9lXdSk/T_4XPMBkSTI/AAAAAAAABKw/XjP4JZTkTQU/s320/IMG_0952.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting on our appetizer at Flight</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJg2OYbWrwE/T_4XV8SFpGI/AAAAAAAABK4/OTlfw8NfGyc/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJg2OYbWrwE/T_4XV8SFpGI/AAAAAAAABK4/OTlfw8NfGyc/s320/IMG_0953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My flight of whites</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were going to go see Graceland but the tickets were $30 a pop! Maybe next time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monday...July 9, our anniversary! Can you believe it's been a year? We sure had a hard time believing it.&nbsp; But when we look back, it's hard to believe we squeezed so much into a year! It's been a wonderful year.&nbsp; It started with the best wedding and honeymoon either of us could ever have dreamed of.&nbsp; And I'm sure it's only the beginning of many years of happiness.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For our anniversary, I made a meal out of the Bride and Groom cookbook given to us by Nancileigh and Matt not long after we got engaged. It has a lot of fancier recipes in it, and I found the perfect ones for an anniversary.&nbsp; We used many of our wedding gifts. We also ate the top tier of our cake, which has been frozen all year! It was still delicious! We watched our wedding video...both of us teared up a little... and we looked through our wedding album, which we received just days earlier, for the first time.&nbsp; It was a wonderful anniversary! Here are some pictures:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K836KqbcK5w/T_4a3DvB0NI/AAAAAAAABLY/HWheeiBGI4M/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K836KqbcK5w/T_4a3DvB0NI/AAAAAAAABLY/HWheeiBGI4M/s320/IMG_0962.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appetizer...roasted heads of garlic, goat cheese garnished with parsley, and smoked salmon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcS9xa9xjk8/T_4bBH-QIgI/AAAAAAAABLg/BD9kX9fx9uU/s1600/IMG_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcS9xa9xjk8/T_4bBH-QIgI/AAAAAAAABLg/BD9kX9fx9uU/s320/IMG_0963.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULjzZL9GEIc/T_4bMCumbAI/AAAAAAAABLo/a9VJ1P-IAJc/s1600/IMG_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULjzZL9GEIc/T_4bMCumbAI/AAAAAAAABLo/a9VJ1P-IAJc/s320/IMG_0964.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberry champagne spritzers garnished with raspberries.&nbsp; The silver tray was given to Chris' grandfather on his 25th anniversary with Carolyn Beck, by Chris' parents (Tammy and Chris Sr.).&nbsp; The champagne glasses are the same ones we used for toasting at our wedding!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7e1ahp-v2j4/T_4bWobh5bI/AAAAAAAABL0/ds032HfNtkY/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7e1ahp-v2j4/T_4bWobh5bI/AAAAAAAABL0/ds032HfNtkY/s320/IMG_0965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZ3UCSk0pww/T_4bie6znjI/AAAAAAAABL8/N9EyWoEyMoM/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZ3UCSk0pww/T_4bie6znjI/AAAAAAAABL8/N9EyWoEyMoM/s320/IMG_0966.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The table set for our anniversary, with our sterling silverware given to us by Aunt Bette. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PC1dwAZ2B0/T_4brF4DY0I/AAAAAAAABME/QaCpjjoeIqc/s1600/IMG_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PC1dwAZ2B0/T_4brF4DY0I/AAAAAAAABME/QaCpjjoeIqc/s320/IMG_0967.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJcoV2eWFPU/T_4b355AjHI/AAAAAAAABMM/f-7QH1loOA4/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJcoV2eWFPU/T_4b355AjHI/AAAAAAAABMM/f-7QH1loOA4/s320/IMG_0968.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filets mignon in a creamy sauce. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPZUvNcxSrQ/T_4cFZ3CpiI/AAAAAAAABMU/gKZzwqN7WPk/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPZUvNcxSrQ/T_4cFZ3CpiI/AAAAAAAABMU/gKZzwqN7WPk/s320/IMG_0969.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry tomatoes gratin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TchW7tyMuoA/T_4cPmEJ8YI/AAAAAAAABMc/c1awUqjc_9s/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TchW7tyMuoA/T_4cPmEJ8YI/AAAAAAAABMc/c1awUqjc_9s/s320/IMG_0970.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couscous with leeks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wMaTgl1ym4o/T_4ccHjXtvI/AAAAAAAABMo/ZIMfD0eiVL8/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wMaTgl1ym4o/T_4ccHjXtvI/AAAAAAAABMo/ZIMfD0eiVL8/s320/IMG_0971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-elrXNb3tKX0/T_4cltRVa1I/AAAAAAAABMw/Z31Fgp9XmI4/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-elrXNb3tKX0/T_4cltRVa1I/AAAAAAAABMw/Z31Fgp9XmI4/s320/IMG_0972.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our candlelit dinner! The wine came from our Nashville trip last October...we bought it from Arrington vineyards especially for our anniversary! It was GREAT.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-woI35pJr0/T_4c5lAkevI/AAAAAAAABNA/6u0SAezaloY/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-woI35pJr0/T_4c5lAkevI/AAAAAAAABNA/6u0SAezaloY/s320/IMG_0974.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting our wedding cake! I paid a lot more attention to how it tasted the second time around, and it was really good...even after having been frozen for a year!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;Chris has been up to the usual in pilot training.&nbsp; He is currently learning about instruments, so besides his night-flying week a couple of weeks ago, he also wears a vision restricting hood while flying so that he has to rely on his instruments instead of looking out the window to fly the plane.&nbsp; During night flying week (my last week of working at Cadence), I barely saw him because he went in from about 11am-10pm or so.&nbsp; He passed his formations check ride.&nbsp; He will have his instruments check ride in a few weeks. Today he finally got off of formal release! This means that he is no longer required to stay at work for 12 hours! He will eventually have to go back to formal release once he begins either T-1's or T-38's.&nbsp; But, for now, it will certainly be nice to spend more time together as my days are much shorter (about 8-2:30) and his will be, too!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He is getting ready for what is called a cross-country flight in the next couple of weeks, where he will fly all weekend to several different airports.&nbsp; He is responsible to plan the route.&nbsp; He hopes to do some touch-and-goes in Auburn.&nbsp; He also had some other stops planned, but we will wait to share those until we know whether they will be possible.&nbsp; The runways/airports have to be approved to land the T-6s...of course, there are other considerations, such as air traffic and the condition of the runway, etc.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am starting a cookbook club that I am really excited about! A few other couples have decided to join.&nbsp; I chose the first cookbook, which is called "A New Turn in the South".&nbsp; This is how it works...the hostess (I will be first) chooses a cookbook she is unfamiliar with and makes an entree out of the cookbook, exactly to the recipe.&nbsp; No modifications, because we want to test how good the cookbook really is.&nbsp; Then, the cookbook is passed around to the other couples, who are all assigned a course/side item to make out of the cookbook.&nbsp; Then we have a dinner party at the hostess's house...the next month we will rotate it to another house and another cookbook! The first one is going to be July 28.&nbsp; I am looking forward to doing some entertaining, as well as hopefully trying out some fun new recipes and getting to know some other couples!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ALRIGHT! Whew..so...I don't think I missed anything as far as our activities over the last few weeks! Here are a couple more pictures...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9J3SYwPlGM/T_4ipwCzm1I/AAAAAAAABNg/ZGXqcnLLPzg/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9J3SYwPlGM/T_4ipwCzm1I/AAAAAAAABNg/ZGXqcnLLPzg/s320/IMG_0950.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish I had a bathroom where this toilet seat that we saw in Memphis would be appropriate!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CNFJ2JHvSA/T_4i6vl_WDI/AAAAAAAABNo/RxgZ2wz7jxw/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CNFJ2JHvSA/T_4i6vl_WDI/AAAAAAAABNo/RxgZ2wz7jxw/s320/IMG_0961.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to the Pet Nanny, where Mason stayed while we were in Memphis, there was a corn field.&nbsp; We thought it would be funny to have him fetch his ball in it. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS9asJybPdY/T_4jHlNnogI/AAAAAAAABN4/PpjWDMHx7ZY/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS9asJybPdY/T_4jHlNnogI/AAAAAAAABN4/PpjWDMHx7ZY/s320/IMG_0981.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started out our first year of marriage by purchasing a car and ended it by purchasing a condo.&nbsp; I guess we will probably go a little smaller-scale this year...but we decided to start the second year of marriage by becoming proud bicycle owners! Aren't they lovely? I'm training for a triathlon that's next month, so I will be taking mine for a spin bright and early tomorrow morning!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-16090720317005056992012-06-22T11:58:00.001-05:002012-06-22T11:58:22.333-05:00Homeowners-to-BeHas it REALLY been almost two weeks since my last post? Get ready for a long post with lots of pictures.&nbsp;Man, time is FLYING by these days! No pun intended, haha.&nbsp; Okay, not that funny.&nbsp; ANYWAYS... we are proud to announce that we are in the process of closing on a condo in Northport (about .10 miles from the Tuscaloosa line).&nbsp; I was thinking of holding off on sharing the details with everyone until after our closing date on July 17, but so many people have been asking me about whether we have found anything and wanting to know all about it, I kind of started to feel guilty for holding out! So...fingers crossed that posting pictures and calling this "ours" won't jinx the closing process...if everything goes as planned (and so far it has), we will be official owners of this property in a few short weeks! <br /><br />I only have a few pictures now, but will post more once we actually move in. The condo is a 2 story town home on a "lake" (read: pond).&nbsp; The complex we are in has a pool and some really pretty grounds...trees everywhere, green space, etc. <br /><br />For those of you who have been out of the loop, I am planning on staying here during most of the work week once I start school.&nbsp; The plan is for me to stay in Tuscaloosa on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights, but that will, of course, have to be adjusted as needed.&nbsp; Chris won't be able to come to Tuscaloosa while he is in pilot training, but maybe once he is finished and (hopefully) an instructor pilot, he will be able to sometimes. After I graduate, we are currently hoping to use the condo as a rental property.&nbsp; It is near the local hospital and has a great rental history.<br />﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGRz3JayGDA/T-SSiKIXSLI/AAAAAAAABHc/Yjfi30qSk2M/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGRz3JayGDA/T-SSiKIXSLI/AAAAAAAABHc/Yjfi30qSk2M/s320/21.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen had updated cabinets, which we liked.&nbsp; The appliances are not updated, but that will be okay for now.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fX35-Ammz8I/T-SQ7DJFc_I/AAAAAAAABG8/PoKfiIpj_hM/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fX35-Ammz8I/T-SQ7DJFc_I/AAAAAAAABG8/PoKfiIpj_hM/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big selling point was the screened-in porch overlooking the "lake".&nbsp; It is really low right now because the city was doing some pipe maintenance, but we've been told it will be filled back up soon <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTBmUzaRzCo/T-SQ7wnX8sI/AAAAAAAABHE/nEn3JbK3DSg/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTBmUzaRzCo/T-SQ7wnX8sI/AAAAAAAABHE/nEn3JbK3DSg/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw1WTpUKuKA/T-SQ5n_K3jI/AAAAAAAABG0/Krvw1XW6FBs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cw1WTpUKuKA/T-SQ5n_K3jI/AAAAAAAABG0/Krvw1XW6FBs/s320/5.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very nice sized living area. The carpet is clean and in good condition, but it needs to be stretched.&nbsp; And I will absolutely have to paint over that ugly red...dare I say, "crimson" stripe on the wall. The unit has a lot of natural light, which I like. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The entry hall on the first floor also has a half bath off of it. The upstairs has two large bedrooms, a master and a second bedroom, and a full bath.&nbsp;The master bedroom has a walk in closet.&nbsp; There is also a washer/dryer closet and a linen closet.&nbsp; The area seems to be very safe and is extremely close to a lot of businesses, restaurants, stores, etc.&nbsp; It is less than a mile from a great looking gym that I hope to join and from Highway 82, which goes straight to Columbus.&nbsp; It's about 3 miles from campus, and although I'm sure it will take me a good 15 minutes to get there on high-traffic days, it is nice to be convenient to the highway I will take to get home. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, that's our headline story! For the record, we are trying to furnish this place as cheaply as possible...especially since I won't be having much company there and we really can't afford to buy much with the pay cut I am getting ready to take!&nbsp; If anyone has any of the following that they would like to donate or sell at a very competitive price ;) we are looking for the following: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Apartment-size fridge (apparently this is a size smaller than a regular fridge)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sofa and love seat</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">TV stand</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Bed and/or mattress</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pots/pans</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Vaccuum</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">ironing board</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">bookcase</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm sure there are tons of other things that we will realize we need.&nbsp; A lot of things that maybe people have sitting around their house that they have had for years and have since replaced with newer/better models and maybe they would love to get rid of the old model! :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Two Fridays ago was Chris' class solo party, the party they have after everyone in the class has done their solo flight in the T-6.&nbsp; First they all got together for the naming part.&nbsp; This is when the person getting their call-sign (i.e. nickname) leaves the room, and everyone in the room talks about them and makes fun of them and chooses a call-sign, usually based off of a funny story about them.&nbsp; Wives don't get to attend the naming part.&nbsp; Chris' call-sign is Yogi because he "terrorizes park rangers".&nbsp; I don't know if I ever shared the story about how Chris (okay...and I) got into a verbal altercation with an out-of-line park ranger who tried to kick us and a group of friends out of a public park 2 hours before it closed so he could go home...even though we had just gotten our steaks off&nbsp;the grill...he was rude and yelled, called the guys derogatory names because he hates the Air Force, etc...well it was a big mess and Chris had to take a day off pilot training because the ranger wrote this ridiculaous "assault" ticket and we had to go to court and we won because it was stupid.&nbsp; Don't know if I ever shared that on the blog...I probably didn't want to because it's not the most flattering story but I feel like I have to for anyone to understand why Chris' name is Yogi now! So now the world knows our dirty secret, ha!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the naming ceremony, the class rented a party bus to take us downtown to the Princess.&nbsp; The Princess is not only the most popular bar/club in town, but also happens to be Class 13-06's pilot partner (Chris is Class 13-06), which is like a business that sponsors your class throughout training.&nbsp; They set a bar in the back that I'm pretty sure was just for us, and they had karaoke which I, of course, sang a bunch of times and also sang a couple of times with some of Chris' classmates.&nbsp; I wish someone could convince Chris to sing karaoke with me! Maybe one day... Here are a couple of pictures from the party bus:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Qo3ObYM4Z8/T-SQ_lAWCHI/AAAAAAAABHQ/szw5bW7Pvmg/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Qo3ObYM4Z8/T-SQ_lAWCHI/AAAAAAAABHQ/szw5bW7Pvmg/s320/1.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess this face is supposed to convey excitement over soloing...?</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Asf4sfopsjo/T-SQ_CwyavI/AAAAAAAABHM/sqkBdF3OJ_4/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Asf4sfopsjo/T-SQ_CwyavI/AAAAAAAABHM/sqkBdF3OJ_4/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, Autumn, and I on the way to the Princess on the party bus!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Saturday was an exciting day because Chris and I headed to Auburn for a weekend of celebrating Hannah's engagement to her fiance, Chase, and Chris Sr.'s 60th birthday.&nbsp; The engagement party was at Lauren's parent's house.&nbsp; As always, there is a special place in my heart for my girls and I love to see them any chance I get! Here is a picture of us...Sara, Lauren and I are all bridesmaids in Hannah's wedding, along with Lauren Emily (who was also in my wedding), but she was moving from Tampa to Atlanta that weekend (yay!) and couldn't make it (boo!).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTpQj5oaqEc/T-SYWxXJCtI/AAAAAAAABH8/n2GNyq23p9U/s1600/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XTpQj5oaqEc/T-SYWxXJCtI/AAAAAAAABH8/n2GNyq23p9U/s320/22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Sunday, we had lunch at the Saugahatchee Country Club to celebrate Chris Sr.'s birthday.&nbsp; I'm glad Virginia&nbsp;put a nice lunch together for us, and&nbsp;it was great to&nbsp;be with family! We will be coming to Auburn again&nbsp;to celebrate next weekend, but have the added bonus&nbsp;of celebrating Aunt Bette's 90th birthday&nbsp;along with Chris Sr's 60th!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I know this post is getting rather long winded,&nbsp;but I want to share a few&nbsp;more pictures before signing off!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;﻿</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7GhTwpbZcQ/T-SQre7ta0I/AAAAAAAABFE/iBYhXUV12xA/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7GhTwpbZcQ/T-SQre7ta0I/AAAAAAAABFE/iBYhXUV12xA/s320/20.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took up swimming this week for exercise...here is a picture of Nancy and me at about 6:30 am getting ready for some laps! I'm sure people wonder where the heck I got the crazy turquoise and Christmas-tree themed swimsuit.&nbsp; I got it off this website where all the swimsuits were kind of expensive, but if I ordered the "grab bag" swimsuit, I got to pick my size and they would send my a mystery swimsuit, and it was only $15.&nbsp; So this is what they sent me! What I will do to save a buck! You better believe I will wear my $15 swimsuit loud and proud to the pool until it wears out!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpejX0YRyCw/T-SQtOKhChI/AAAAAAAABFU/Vx4gKq60d7g/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpejX0YRyCw/T-SQtOKhChI/AAAAAAAABFU/Vx4gKq60d7g/s320/18.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last weekend, we went to a cookout that Tommy's (one of Chris' classmates)&nbsp;parents, who were in town, threw. I think this picture is hilarious because literally everyone looks awkward in it.&nbsp; I'm wearing my glasses because I found out last week that I'm allergic to my contacts and have to wear my glasses for a few&nbsp;weeks and then have to switch to daily disposable ones! :( Such a bummer!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿﻿&nbsp;﻿ ﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NP4ZXtYAYds/T-SQvOfE1YI/AAAAAAAABFs/z-kxog7PEfU/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NP4ZXtYAYds/T-SQvOfE1YI/AAAAAAAABFs/z-kxog7PEfU/s320/8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that I'm finally home during the week and not in Birmingham, I can decorate for the Fourth of July! Here is my coffee table.&nbsp; I have a lot more decorations around the house. I will post pictures of them later.</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿ ﻿﻿﻿﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ikNfDIwyeSE/T-SQ4EG4tWI/AAAAAAAABGs/DM9HnIkd1y4/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ikNfDIwyeSE/T-SQ4EG4tWI/AAAAAAAABGs/DM9HnIkd1y4/s320/10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another bonus of finally being home during the week...I have time to plan meals, grocery shop, and actually start cooking again! I have barely cooked or entertained at all the past couple of months, because I just haven't been home enough to plan, clean, and organize any nice meals or entertaining.&nbsp; Last Friday night, I made cilantro-lime rice, baked Parmesan edamame, glazed baked sweet potatoes, and salmon-in-a-bag. </td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trIj9idpN1w/T-SQ03LySsI/AAAAAAAABGc/Z-NIigaFo94/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trIj9idpN1w/T-SQ03LySsI/AAAAAAAABGc/Z-NIigaFo94/s320/12.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon and Ralph came over to eat the&nbsp; (Autumn was out of town). They were so excited about being photographed for the blog! haha</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿ ﻿ </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1ptno64hjQ/T-SQz5k8MxI/AAAAAAAABGU/aQitJfYW3nc/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1ptno64hjQ/T-SQz5k8MxI/AAAAAAAABGU/aQitJfYW3nc/s320/13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy meal on my 4th of July place mats! And the wine coaster that Meredith made me for Christmas!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿ </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0baEIAyoUg/T-SQx_fK7WI/AAAAAAAABGE/nB7zjZcbRlE/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0baEIAyoUg/T-SQx_fK7WI/AAAAAAAABGE/nB7zjZcbRlE/s320/16.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After dinner we went to Jon and Autumn's so the boys could work on their latest batch of homemade&nbsp;beer and I could sit around and watch TV while the dogs played. (The black and white one is Ralph's dog, Stuart)&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nd3QlexYSYU/T-SQyhIxpLI/AAAAAAAABGM/wQohbzfumvY/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nd3QlexYSYU/T-SQyhIxpLI/AAAAAAAABGM/wQohbzfumvY/s320/15.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ralph could not resist the urge to snuggle Mason! I mean, who could?</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxQWDCmTxqQ/T-SQw-_Q8hI/AAAAAAAABF8/ZvbTVdoNsQ4/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxQWDCmTxqQ/T-SQw-_Q8hI/AAAAAAAABF8/ZvbTVdoNsQ4/s320/17.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For lunch on Saturday I made these delicious "turkey sandwiches" out of tomatoes, avocados, an olive relish that I made, cheese, and (obviously) turkey and bread.</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWjCBW32zfs/T-SQsD_K2GI/AAAAAAAABFM/Pb2CApEQCg4/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWjCBW32zfs/T-SQsD_K2GI/AAAAAAAABFM/Pb2CApEQCg4/s320/19.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday for dinner, Chris grilled some filets mignon and asparagus that I marinated with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and we had some of the leftover rice from Friday...and some wine from our last wine club shipment.&nbsp; I bought Chris the year-long&nbsp;wine club membership last year for his wedding gift.&nbsp; It's hard to believe that our first anniversary is just a couple of weeks away, and our wine membership is already over! Time flies when you are having fun :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿﻿</div><br /><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe I haven't posted enough adorable pictures of our wittle baby Mason lately...here are some ones I wanted to share. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyFYfYPPzCI/T-SQtmXTsBI/AAAAAAAABFc/W9J_6O2F_0I/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyFYfYPPzCI/T-SQtmXTsBI/AAAAAAAABFc/W9J_6O2F_0I/s320/14.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason modeling next year's Halloween costume...just kidding! This is just a picture my sister found online and sent to me, but it is so hilarious and looks just like Mason will when his adult coat grows out at 2 years.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXtELFj_FzE/T-SQuC5xo1I/AAAAAAAABFk/8Sr480Vyf4o/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXtELFj_FzE/T-SQuC5xo1I/AAAAAAAABFk/8Sr480Vyf4o/s320/9.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Mason! Every time we leave him at home, he runs out his dog door and sticks his head as far as he can underneath the fence and watches us leave! I feel so bad for him...I wish he could understand that Mommy and Daddy have to go out and make a living so that he can have nice things like toys and treats :)&nbsp; You may notice that the fence we spent half a day building is gone.&nbsp; Don't get me started!!!! Apparently we aren't allowed to put up fences unless they are tacky chain link ones.&nbsp; The leasing office threw a huge fit and made us take it down (after we also threw a huge fit that it should stay...the lease contract had some gray areas that we thought allowed our fence and they thought did not).&nbsp; Now Mason only has this tiny space of concrete to go do his business during the day, but at least it's better than him being stuck in his crate for 9 hours.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pQhBjJSfZg/T-SQwOgZKGI/AAAAAAAABF0/9yX4qe_YrA8/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pQhBjJSfZg/T-SQwOgZKGI/AAAAAAAABF0/9yX4qe_YrA8/s320/7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason cooling off in the shade after chasing his ball. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have submitted Mason's picture to the Lee County Humane Society calendar contest and would appreciate your votes when voting opens! I will be sure to post on the blog and solicit votes all over the place when it starts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chris has been flying all week, still working on formation flying and also starting instrument flying.&nbsp; Instruments are what you use when weather or darkness prevent you from being able to see to fly the plane.&nbsp; His schedule this week has started at 5:30am, but, selfishly, I kind of like it because that means he is home by 5:30 pm, same time as me! Next week starts his night-flying week...the first flight isn't until 3pm.&nbsp; He does 12-hour days, so you do the math.&nbsp; I certainly will not be seeing much of hubby next week! I can't wait to hear about night flying, though, because it sounds cool! It's interesting on base when they have night-flying weeks, because you go to sleep to the sound of faint engines roaring in the distance...except, sometimes the distance is pretty close, and sometimes the noises aren't very faint.&nbsp; I wonder if I will be able to sleep knowing that one of them is Chris' plane! While Chris is still deciding whether he wants to go the T-38 route or the T-1 route, he has really loved formation flying and I feel that he leans more and more toward the T-38.&nbsp; As we know, only a small part of that decision is his! So we will just have to wait and see what he decides and, more importantly, what Uncle Sam decides in August.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next week is my last week of work, my very last day being June 29! Last week I started working in Columbus instead of Birmingham,&nbsp;and I think I will be working here until my last day. &nbsp;I can't tell y'all how excited I am to finally start this new chapter, as the tension has been building for several months.&nbsp; I have been working a lot on my teaching materials for the class I am teaching in July.&nbsp; I must admit, it is a little intimidating to know that I will be teaching people who are barely younger than me.&nbsp; Some of them may even be older! But I'm excited and ready for it.&nbsp; I know as a college student, I didn't really think differently of my younger teachers...as long as they taught me what I needed to know in clear English, I really didn't care if they were 20 or 90!&nbsp; I think most college students probably have that attitude. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before I finish, in honor of Father's Day, I want to say "Thank You"&nbsp; to all the fathers out there, especially my father, Chris' father, and his step-father, Greg.&nbsp; It's so sad that a lot of people these days don't have relationships with their fathers, because it is certainly a special relationship for a growing woman or man.&nbsp; I can truly say that both Chris and I are fortunate to not only have relationships with our fathers, but have very close relationships with them.&nbsp; We both enjoy being with our fathers and appreciate all the life lessons they taught us.&nbsp; We are also fortunate to love and have special relationships with our fathers-in-law.&nbsp; We look forward to all of those relationships growing and getting even better over time! Love y'all, and thank you for everything! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">﻿</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-77518115280356128022012-06-06T11:48:00.001-05:002012-06-06T11:48:23.541-05:00Update on ChrisHey, y'all! <br />I wanted to give you an update on Chris, since last time I posted, I didn't really have anything new on him.<br /><br />Last Friday, I thought for sure his check ride would be cancelled.&nbsp; The weather had been bad the whole week and it had already been canceled a couple of times.&nbsp; He actually did get to do his check ride.&nbsp; <br /><br />For those of you who need a reminder, a check ride is kind of like a "mid-term".&nbsp; It's super important and if you don't pass it, you can't continue with pilot training.&nbsp; Last time we went though a bit of an ordeal because Chris did not pass his check ride.&nbsp; He had to do an 88-ride, which is your second chance.&nbsp; You are only allowed one 88-ride in pilot training...now if he does not pass a check ride, he has to go straight to his 89-ride, where the evaluator (usually someone high up) decides if you have what it takes to be a pilot.&nbsp; It was very unnerving that Chris had to go to his 88-ride, especially when several people seemed to agree that he should have passed his check ride the first time.&nbsp; If you really want to see me go off on fairness, just check out my post from a few weeks ago when we were going through this.&nbsp; In the end, Chris passed his 88-ride and all is good.&nbsp; He has been doing really well since then and had a lot of encouragement from his instructors. <br /><br />I was pretty nervous going into this check ride, not because I don't feel confident in Chris as a pilot, but because we have now experienced how subjective these rides can be.&nbsp; One instructor may pass someone&nbsp;in spite of&nbsp;messing up one certain thing, where another may fail him for it.&nbsp; Not to mention, everyone has an off day! And the fact that his check rides kept getting canceled didn't help, because I got a little nervous that he might get sick or not be in his "groove" from missing so many days of flying.<br /><br />Well, I supposed I shouldn't have been worried.&nbsp; Not only did Chris pass, but he got a grade of 6E...E for "Excellent", and the 6 is for his 6 downgrades (think of it like a minus 6...6 things "wrong", I guess)..the average was around 18-20 so that's good! We ran into one of the commanders at the commissary on Sunday, who said he had heard about how well Chris had done on his check ride.&nbsp; Cha ching! Two down, two to go (while Chris is in T-6s).<br /><br />After this second check ride, it is time for the students to move into practicing "formations", which means you get really close...like just a few feet...from another plane.&nbsp; A lot of people say this is the time where you figure out if you want to try to fly fighter planes or not.&nbsp; People who go on to try flying fighters really like flying in formation, and some people really don't like it.&nbsp; It was exciting because on Saturday Chris and Jon found out that they would actually be flying in formation together! Since they are close friends, that was kind of cool.&nbsp; They flew yesterday.&nbsp; Chris said he did like it, but he doesn't know if he loves flying in formation yet or not.&nbsp; He says he thinks he may after he gets more used to it, but the first time was kind of weird and required a lot of concentration. <br /><br />There were times when their wings were just feet apart.&nbsp; At one point, Jon flew ahead of Chris and did all these maneuvers and tried to&nbsp;basically evade Chris,&nbsp;while Chris tried to keep track of him.&nbsp; This is a similar idea to a lot of the fighter pilot training drills.&nbsp; Chris thought that was fun.&nbsp; He said they had the latest flight of the day, so toward the end, they were the only ones flying.&nbsp; They were flying during sunset, and then it started to get dark, so by the time they landed, all the runway lights were lit up...which Chris said was really cool.&nbsp; He had never landed using the runway lights before.&nbsp; I'm so proud of what a great job he is doing and am so happy that he loves flying so much! When he chose to be a pilot, he wasn't really sure if he would like it...but he knew he didn't want a "desk job", and going into pilot training from the Air Force Academy is a pretty popular choice, so he decided to go with it.&nbsp; It seems like he definitely made the right choice, because I know he loves what he is doing, even when it has him at work until after 10pm like it did last night. <br /><br />Here is a picture of what a formation looks like...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iH8V8x3bIY0/T84VvTFUnEI/AAAAAAAABC0/72WVxZp_awg/s1600/090526-F-0000C-063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="456" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iH8V8x3bIY0/T84VvTFUnEI/AAAAAAAABC0/72WVxZp_awg/s640/090526-F-0000C-063.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are actually some T-6s flying over Columbus...in fact...if you look to the left side slightly below the middle, that's my office building, the big white one.&nbsp; I haven't actually worked in that office in several weeks since I have been in Birmingham...and I probably will barely be there anymore before the 29th.&nbsp; But that's still where my stuff is! </td></tr></tbody></table>Here is another picture...isn't it crazy how close they are!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhAGyT8UlTQ/T84WXzzpJSI/AAAAAAAABC8/Jg74cIHFXgo/s1600/090526-F-0000C-061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhAGyT8UlTQ/T84WXzzpJSI/AAAAAAAABC8/Jg74cIHFXgo/s640/090526-F-0000C-061.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I were a pilot, I think this would be my favorite part, since I kind of enjoy tailgating people.&nbsp; Okay, I said it. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zT1fRwWjbww/T8-Jx-ppJLI/AAAAAAAABEk/auoJGC_YekU/s1600/formation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="416" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zT1fRwWjbww/T8-Jx-ppJLI/AAAAAAAABEk/auoJGC_YekU/s640/formation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br />How Chris feels after these formations will probably have a lot to do with what he chooses as his preference during what is called "track select".&nbsp; Track select is coming up at the end of the summer.&nbsp; Students submit a preference of whether they would like to fly a T-1 or a T-38 for the rest of training. I'm going to explain this as best I can, but know that when I say "T-38's/T-1's get this assignment", or "People who&nbsp;get T-38's/T-1s are top of the class/want to fly fighters/etc"&nbsp;&nbsp;I am totally making generalizations! I am still talking about the military and so nothing is 100% set in stone, plus there are a million different reasons why people choose different things so I'm just going to simplify it by saying what is generally the case.<br /><br />Usually, if you want to fly a fighter, you will choose a T-38 as your preference for track select.&nbsp; Usually the people who get assigned T-38's in track select are at the top of their class and have it as their #1 choice.&nbsp; T-38's generally get either a fighter, bomber, or T-6 instructor pilot (FAIP) assignment.&nbsp; There are usually only a couple of fighter slots that go out per class, so if you don't want a bomber or a FAIP, then you are somewhat taking a risk when you try to get T-38's because there aren't as many options when you train with that plane. But if you want to be a fighter, you have to fly a T-38.&nbsp; The T-38 track is&nbsp;very demanding as far as studying and how you are expected to perform. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yofwrKfDDz4/T84YqeIp8GI/AAAAAAAABDE/1TagVk5X668/s1600/t-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yofwrKfDDz4/T84YqeIp8GI/AAAAAAAABDE/1TagVk5X668/s400/t-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They almost look like little fighters.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />If you want a heavy plan (like a cargo plane), you generally will go the T-1 route.&nbsp; You also get a T-1 if you wanted a T-38 but weren't selected for it.&nbsp; From a T-1, you can get a T-1 instructor pilot position, or pretty much any other plane besides a fighter or bomber. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPSsSH0UEhY/T84ZoJqKWZI/AAAAAAAABDM/-iwoJ8C72rs/s1600/t-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPSsSH0UEhY/T84ZoJqKWZI/AAAAAAAABDM/-iwoJ8C72rs/s400/t-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />I wanted to go ahead and describe this process because I feel like it is right around the corner and will be here before we know it! Naturally, Chris' selections for his preferences (T-1 or T-38) is something he is already thinking about.&nbsp; Originally, Chris was only interested in flying larger planes, especially the C-17.&nbsp; Pro's: good experience for a future in airlines or parcel services, desirable base locations, more laid-back culture.&nbsp; Cons: usually gone about 260+ days a year!&nbsp; He has received some encouragement by instructors that he should consider the T-38, and he spent his "casual" job (that 6-month period where we were in Columbus but not in pilot training) working for the fighter training squadron here on base, where he formed some good relationships and enjoyed the very distinct culture that fighter pilots have.&nbsp; So now he is a little interested in that, too, but not sure if he is sold on it.&nbsp; I think he is hoping that the formations will help him decide. A lot of people hear "fighter pilot" and think that they are probably in the air shooting at enemy plans all the time.&nbsp; While this is possible, it doesn't happen very often now.&nbsp; There aren't very many air forces in the world, at least not that we have tensions with right now, that could put up a fight against our planes, so "dog-fights" aren't very likely.&nbsp; Fighters are home a lot more with their families, and most of their missions are training missions, so they aren't constantly overseas like cargo planes are.&nbsp; They do have a much more stressful environment because they always have to stay on top of the latest developments in strategy, sometimes requiring them to lock themselves in a "vault" of confidential information to study for hours on end.&nbsp; Also, Chris knows he wants his next assignment to be a FAIP (instructor pilot), and if he gets T-38s at track select, there is only a slim chance he will get a T-38 FAIP position...if he gets FAIP'd, he would probably get a T-6, which is what he is flying now...and doing 12 hours days! He doesn't think he wants to fly with green pilots for 12 hours a day for 3 years! We will keep you updated on what happens with his track select.&nbsp; It truly is a big deal because it has big implications for his career. It's important that we not be short-sighted, though...his assignment for the next 3 years is very important, but it's much more important to think about the plane he will be flying for the rest of his career!<br /><br />Anyway...now that I have you updated as best as I can about military stuff (at least, this is all the way I understand it!)...I will go ahead and do a short run-down of our weekend. Not much to update, I was pretty much a bum all weekend because it was SO nice to finally be at home after over two weeks of being gone!!<br /><br />Saturday, we went to Northport to view some condos.&nbsp; We found one that we wanted to make an offer on, but the owners had another for sale in the complex that we also wanted to see, but the tenant would never return calls to the real estate agent, so we couldn't go see it (apparently there are strict laws about this).&nbsp; Our realtor came back yesterday and said that the seller cannot end the lease with either unit's&nbsp;tenant early, and both leases go until next year! So frustrating! However, he said there the owners have another unit in the complex that is the exact same floor plan as the one we saw, that they have not put on the market yet but are getting ready to.&nbsp; This would be available immediately, and the owners are willing to negotiate, which sounds good! He is going to look at it today and take pictures for us, and then we will probably go take a look on the way to Auburn Saturday for Hannah's engagement party and Chris, Sr.'s birthday.&nbsp; Then hopefully we can make our offer, they will accept it, our pre-approved loan will process flawlessly and we will be move-in ready by July 1! I'm not going to hold my breath though...<br /><br />Saturday I stepped out onto my patio to discover some sad surprises and one happy one.&nbsp; Here is the happy one:<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R384UYOzzGQ/T84g3Ze-guI/AAAAAAAABDs/XMA9MVzW6yE/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R384UYOzzGQ/T84g3Ze-guI/AAAAAAAABDs/XMA9MVzW6yE/s400/7.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These sunflowers (I think that's what they are...just smaller? Maybe not.) just popped out of nowhere and are so pretty! Some former tenants must have planted them.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My sad surprises included the weeds that have overtaken our patio and all my plants looking funny and black...kind of like they are dying! Rather than a green thumb, I think I have a black thumb.&nbsp; Notice the irony...beautiful sunflowers that I had no idea were in my yard sprouting all by themselves without me doing a thing.&nbsp; All my plants that I tried really hard to grow by watering and fertilizing dying!! Ugh! I keep saying I give up on gardening and then keep trying again because I want a pretty yard like other people.&nbsp; I might as well just wait until one day when we can afford a landscaper, because I am tired of wasting money and effort in the yard! So frustrating! ugh!!!!<br /><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fplcP7fca7E/T84hrsHef1I/AAAAAAAABD0/GWMqJXxh1Mw/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fplcP7fca7E/T84hrsHef1I/AAAAAAAABD0/GWMqJXxh1Mw/s640/8.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was so excited because my tomatoes turned red..til I got up close and saw that they were all black and had nasty holes in them! I just don't understand. </td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ Saturday night I cooked dinner and we invited Jon and Autumn over.&nbsp; It has been a while since I've entertained, and I really miss it! I have been planning to have a big dinner party for some other couples, but that's pretty much impossible to organize and carry out successfully when I'm working in Birmingham all week.&nbsp; Hopefully I will have the free time to accomplish this next month.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKrJv6mRWRo/T84iPA-dIiI/AAAAAAAABD8/f9WvAm9jXqg/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKrJv6mRWRo/T84iPA-dIiI/AAAAAAAABD8/f9WvAm9jXqg/s320/9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5Zh80q0D4o/T84iPm93_RI/AAAAAAAABEE/raxYNLA3cng/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5Zh80q0D4o/T84iPm93_RI/AAAAAAAABEE/raxYNLA3cng/s320/10.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato salad, roasted asparagus and squash (Autumn grew the squash...clearly she is more talented at growing things than I am), and steak.&nbsp; Normally we buy filets from the commissary where they are a good price, but this time we bought sale steaks from Publix...have to say, we were not impressed!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Well, that's all for now.&nbsp; I just couldn't wait to share Chris' success with y'all so I hope you enjoyed a slightly lengthy, but hopefully interesting, description of what is next for him in this journey!<br /><br />In Birmingham 'til Friday...Solo Party (party where the class celebrates everyone completing their solo flight and everyone gets their call signs) is Friday&nbsp; night, and then Saturday we head to Auburn for more celebrating of a birthday and an engagement! <br /><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-49010547668679642882012-06-01T12:07:00.002-05:002012-06-01T12:10:38.636-05:00Our Newest ChapterHey, everyone! It's been a couple of weeks, and I have quite a lot to share.&nbsp; I'm going to start out with revealing the upcoming life change that I have been sort of talking about on the blog for a couple of month's now.&nbsp; I didn't want to share it immediately because I had to take care of a couple of things first.<br /><br />Things like...resigning from my job at Cadence Bank...<br /><br />Which I did yesterday.<br /><br />So now I can officially announce to the world that I have been accepted into the University of Alabama's accounting Ph.D. program, and I'll be beginning my duties there...next month!&nbsp;Actually, for the next year, I will be acting as an adjunct professor, teaching classes and taking classes.&nbsp; After that, I will be a full-fledged Ph.D. student in a four-year program.&nbsp; We are SO excited about this and feel that it is truly "meant to be".&nbsp; <br /><br />I have shared this with some friends and family, and for the most part, the first question I get is, what about Chris? His pilot training program ends next March.&nbsp; Enter, faith, hope, and luck.&nbsp; Chris, to this point, has been doing really well in his training and we hope that this will increase his chances of getting his top choice for his next assignment after UPT (undergrad pilot training) graduation, which is going to be another 3-year assignment at Columbus as an instructor pilot.&nbsp; They call this a FAIP (first assignment instructor pilot). (Knock on wood) most people who request this assignment get it if they have been doing reasonably well in training, because there aren't a whole lot of people who want to stick around in Columbus for 3 more years flying training planes.<br /><br />The instructor position is actually ideal for Chris and me&nbsp;in a number of ways.&nbsp; This is probably the closest to home in Auburn we will ever be, and while we are excited and anxious to begin the "glamorous" (we hope) Air Force life of moving around the country and world, it will be nice to be near our family and friends for a bit longer.&nbsp; It will certainly be the most stability we will have for the next 20 years to be stationed in one place for 4+ years. Although IP's (Instructor Pilots) do get deployed, this is a lot less likely and only began recently since our current government is making our military leaner.&nbsp; And, once he completes the FAIP assignment, he is a lot more likely to get his top choices for the plane he will fly for the rest of his career. <br /><br />Question two...are you going to commute to Tuscaloosa? Yes and no.&nbsp; Tuscaloosa is about an hour and fifteen to thirty minutes from the base.&nbsp; It's not a particularly safe drive and it's really not in my best interest to spend 15 hours a week on the road when I'm taking challenging classes and teaching.&nbsp; We are in the process of looking for a condo to purchase in Tuscaloosa or Northport (which is basically Tuscaloosa, but nicer).&nbsp; I will keep you updated.&nbsp; We already made an offer on one, but it was way overpriced and the seller wasn't willing to go below their asking price.&nbsp; We are going to look again tomorrow.&nbsp; The plan is to drive to Tuscaloosa on Monday mornings and drive back home on Friday afternoons, with one additional trip home during the week.<br /><br />Question three...are you going to become a Bama fan? The only people who ask me this are people who barely know me.&nbsp; Luckily, I am one of the (I think, few) people from the state of Alabama who can differentiate between a university and it's football team.&nbsp;&nbsp; No, I will never ever EVER say "R.T.", don't worry.&nbsp; But I will be proud to hang a&nbsp;University of Alabama degree on my wall.&nbsp; I personally have always thought that it's tacky to have attended one school but be a fan of it's rival. &nbsp;I also&nbsp;think if you are a <em>passionate</em> football fan of either Auburn or Alabama you really can't ever switch or be neutral...even if you did go to both! (Notice I said "passionate"...there are many so-called passionate fans out there, but if they say "I always cheer for Auburn, unless they are playing Bama"...they aren't&nbsp;passionate fans of either...and that's perfectly&nbsp;okay!). I would consider myself a passionate fan, though, so I have to choose one and OBVIOUSLY Auburn is where my heart is, where my two degrees are from, and who I will ALWAYS cheer for! War Eagle!<br /><br />So now that I've got that out of the way...I would just like to say that Chris has been more than supportive of me, he has been so excited for me and encouraged me every step of the way.&nbsp; When I was on the fence about even applying, he encouraged me, knowing that this could be my only chance until he leaves the military, and offered to put his career on hold to be a FAIP.&nbsp; When I went to my interview and was told that I really needed to move to Tuscaloosa in order to be successful in the program, he immediately jumped on board and has been completely comfortable with the big financial decision of purchasing a property for me to stay in.&nbsp; Many couples..in fact most couples...would not even consider a career opportunity like this that would require them to essentially live 50% of their time apart for 4-5 years.&nbsp; I am so lucky to be in a marraige where BOTH dreams and BOTH career goals are important, and where we see eachothers' success and happiness as an integral part of our own. After all, going back to school is not just taking a job...it's opening so many doors for me down the road that will benefit both of us and change our lives for the better.&nbsp; <br /><br />So needless to say, we are both thrilled about these changes!&nbsp; If Chris does not get FAIP'd, chances are, yes...I will have to stay in Alabama and complete the program and Chris will have to move.&nbsp; This is a huge risk! BUT we have to have faith that it will work out because it's now or never.&nbsp; We just can't worry about that.&nbsp; The fact that I'm in school will be taken into consideration when&nbsp;the powers that be&nbsp;decide whether to FAIP Chris, and it's pretty common knowledge that if you want to FAIP you are very likely to.&nbsp; Nothing in the military is guaranteed, so your prayers are appreciated! <br /><br />There isn't much to report on Chris because his second check ride has been delayed all week due to weather! He is supposed to go today at 1, but the weather here in Birmingham is not so pretty right now, and Columbus weather is usually worse than Birmingham's.&nbsp; Unfortunately,Chris and I have barely seen eachother for the past two weeks because I have been working in Birmingham since two Friday's ago, with trips to Auburn and Gulf Shores in between.&nbsp; Chris didn't come with me to Auburn, but he did come to Gulf Shores with me and my family.<br /><br />Much thanks to Tammy and her friends to an INCREDIBLE launch&nbsp;event for my Rodan + Fields business at her house two weekends ago! As I've said before, our products practically sell themselves and all we need is the chance to show them to people.&nbsp; With a 60-day money back guarantee for all of our products (and less than 1/2 of 1% of a return rate) it's easy to see why people at least want to give them a try.&nbsp; I give 1/2 off a regimen for hosting&nbsp;an event. &nbsp;I can't wait to hear how Tammy and her friends like the products! <br /><br /><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4JmQM07X80/T8j0SWWLwfI/AAAAAAAABBk/GsAcnSMVkHE/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4JmQM07X80/T8j0SWWLwfI/AAAAAAAABBk/GsAcnSMVkHE/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Meredith, my sponsoring partner, and Maura, Meredith's sponsoring partner. Thanks, y'all, for all the help!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br />Rodan + Fields has been yet another blessing in our life lately.&nbsp; I am taking a bit of a pay cut to return to school...I do get paid, but it's certainly not a corporate salary.&nbsp; If the success I've had for the past few weeks continues, it will make up for a lot of, if not more than, what I am giving up by leaving my job. Please pray for that, too! We are hoping to make lots of football trips this fall, and those add up, so every little bit helps!<br /><br />While we were in Auburn, Meredith and I went out on the town with my sister, and who did we run into but Auburn's new Defensive Coordinator, Brian VanGorder! Chris has been showing me videos of him and I had read some articles about what a promising hire he was, so I recognized him immediately.&nbsp; He was at Irish Bred Pub in Opelika winding down after a recruiting trip.&nbsp; He was alone, and sat right next to us, so we wound up talking to him for a good 20 minutes, mostly about his family and his recent move to Auburn,&nbsp;and some about football.&nbsp; He's such a nice guy! And how about that mustache and shirt? :)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-znH7WMeVerg/T8j0xr6tJYI/AAAAAAAABBs/lRpnVmDfTIw/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-znH7WMeVerg/T8j0xr6tJYI/AAAAAAAABBs/lRpnVmDfTIw/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here are a few pictures of us from the beach...we cooked dinner the last night with my family and the Molnars, who joined us in Gulf Shores.&nbsp; On our first day at the beach, we went to Fort Morgan, which is about 15 miles from Gulf Shores, and got to hang out with a bunch of our friends from base who were staying there.&nbsp; Fort Morgan is beautiful and not as crowded as Gulf Shores, and I hope we can visit it again! Then our last day at the beach, we joined one of my best friends, Tori, and her boyfriend Bennett and the group they were with from Atlanta.&nbsp; I love catching up with Tori, who I often refer to as my twin because we are so alike! We are even the same size.&nbsp;We lived together in college during the time that we were both in our accounting master's year, and I miss her and her closet constantly! <br /><br />﻿﻿﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HN0wFxQQS_w/T8j1HD_xZRI/AAAAAAAABB0/Q0eRi0b8dp8/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HN0wFxQQS_w/T8j1HD_xZRI/AAAAAAAABB0/Q0eRi0b8dp8/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought this yummy hunk of fresh tuna at the seafod market in Gulf Shores</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿ <br />﻿﻿﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L56odlD3jsU/T8j1Hk_d8PI/AAAAAAAABB8/8EiyzO9AemU/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L56odlD3jsU/T8j1Hk_d8PI/AAAAAAAABB8/8EiyzO9AemU/s400/1.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We turned them into tuna steaks and I seared them and I threw together a marinade out of some stuff we had around...white wine, honey, and orange.&nbsp; I am still trying to master the art of cooking tuna just enough, but not all the way through, because Chris and I like it to still be raw in the middle! :)</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿ <br />﻿﻿﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KVX9oUyGn3U/T8j1IZMaJQI/AAAAAAAABCE/KhXbj8Kkujw/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KVX9oUyGn3U/T8j1IZMaJQI/AAAAAAAABCE/KhXbj8Kkujw/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hit 50,000 miles on our car!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿ <br />I didn't take any pictures out on the beach.&nbsp; I have been bad about taking pictures&nbsp;lately but, let's face it, I've had a pretty hectic few weeks.&nbsp; Traveling for such long times away from my&nbsp;home sometimes makes me feel like I am living a different person's life and I forget about my normal rituals, like blogging.&nbsp; Does that make me crazy? I'm starting to think so.<br /><br />Thanks, Meredith and Ryan, for keeping Mason while we were at the beach! <br /><br />Here is a picture of Mason that Chris sent me last week while I was gone.&nbsp; I can't wait to cuddle my wittle boy again tonight!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbj1s9s5oW0/T8j158rXznI/AAAAAAAABCM/ubkRXW_3-Pk/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbj1s9s5oW0/T8j158rXznI/AAAAAAAABCM/ubkRXW_3-Pk/s400/7.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br /><br />Another picture that Chris sent me last week was of this lovely item that came in the mail for me, finally! <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CcC32He-gik/T8j2DRYhqXI/AAAAAAAABCU/zErTzTSvv5w/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CcC32He-gik/T8j2DRYhqXI/AAAAAAAABCU/zErTzTSvv5w/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Sorry that this was such a long post and mostly talked about one thing! It just feels so good to be able to let it out and tell people what's really going on! My last day of work here at the bank is June 29 and my first day teaching Audit at Alabama is July 5.&nbsp; I am SO excited about finally being home with Chris and Mason and sleeping in my own bed for the first time in 15 days! I've got to come back to Birmingham next week.&nbsp; I hope after that I can go back to Columbus to work, but I am at my job's disposal for at least this month and I am going to do what&nbsp;I can to make this an easy transition for them.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-20104463225180273432012-05-17T11:01:00.000-05:002012-05-17T11:03:56.883-05:00Chris' Check Ride & Warren's BirthdayGreetings, everyone! Last time I posted, we were coming off of a very stressful week.&nbsp; Well...we are quickly realizing that stress like that is going to take over MANY of our weeks over the next year.&nbsp; Chris has been doing so well in his training and been getting "E"'s (for Excellent) on so many categories of his evaluation, that it's easy to sit back and think..."ohhhh we have this in the bag!" Well the Air Force already taught us a little lesson on not taking things for granted during the "air sickness" debacle, but I guess that wasn't enough, because the lessons continued last week.<br /><br />The students complete four "check rides" during their pilot training.&nbsp; Think of a check ride like a mid-term...they are very important and are your chance to show how much you have learned and whether you are up to the point where you are supposed to be.<br /><br />Personally, I have a problem with the subjectivity of the check rides but life isn't fair and the Air Force never asked me.&nbsp; I doubt the Air Force will ever ask me what I think, which is unfortunate, because I actually have a lot of opinions that I would like to share.&nbsp; One of them is that there has to be a more fair and consistent way of grading the&nbsp;student pilots&nbsp;than having a different evaluator for every student who has his (or her) own opinions on what constitutes failing a student vs. just downgrading them (taking off points).&nbsp; I'm an accountant, so I very much prefer a system that leaves as little gray area as possible and has definite "do's" and "do not's". I ESPECIALLY have a problem with this check ride system because I'm not sure if all instructors take into consideration the fact that failing a student for a ride could potentially affect their career and their life and it should not be taken lightly...they should REALLY consider their reasoning when doing this.&nbsp; But again, no one asked me...<br /><br />Anyway...long story short...Chris "hooked" (i.e., failed) his check ride last week.&nbsp; You can imagine what an unhappy mood this put us both in.&nbsp; He felt like this was a little unjustified based on the reasoning given for his hooking.&nbsp; He actually had a good bit less than the average downgrades and there were others who passed with&nbsp;more downgrades than him.&nbsp; Again with the subjectivity.&nbsp; Chris went to a higher power, his commander, who admitted that he shouldn't have been hooked, but there's really nothing anybody could do about it. Anyway...what we can't argue about is that his flight wasn't perfect.&nbsp; The instructor actually said he had a really good flight except for this one thing.&nbsp; But he is the one with the authority and he decided this was a big enough problem.&nbsp; <br /><br />It is actually not very uncommon to hook the first check ride...of all the four check rides, the most students hook the first one, and Chris was not, by any means, alone in his class for hooking it. It still felt like a big setback. <br /><br />Anyway...enough with the whining.&nbsp; That's life, right? I know everyone has felt like they have been treated unfairly, but I guess you just have to pick up the pieces and move on!<br /><br />SO we move on to the "88 ride"...the 88 ride is your second chance at a check ride.&nbsp; You only get one in pilot training, then you move on to the "89 ride" where an actual commander flies with you and grades you...he has the final say whether you have the aptitude to remain in training.&nbsp; You can have an 89 ride for all the four check rides if you hook all four, but that is your last chance before being removed from training.&nbsp; <br /><br />Chris had his 88 ride yesterday and did really well...Chris hardly had any downgrades and the instructor had some very complimentary things to say about him.&nbsp; He said that Chris must have had some bad luck during his check ride.&nbsp; Oh well, we are glad to be past this and glad that he isn't going on to the 89 ride.&nbsp; However, if Chris hooks any more check rides, he will have to go straight to the 89 ride so let's hope that he doesn't have any more "bad luck"!<br /><br />Today Chris flew again, and again he got a great evaluation and some encouragment from his instructor. <br /><br />This weekend was pretty special because we went to Auburn for Warren's 21st Birthday.&nbsp; Friday night I got to spend some time with Lauren and Hannah, who I don't get to see as often.&nbsp; Saturday morning we woke up to Mason, ENTIRELY COVERED in fleas!! Don't ask us how he got them, we have no idea.&nbsp; We treat him for fleas every month, but his next treatment was due this past Monday, so his prior treatment had probably worn off.&nbsp; Anyway, he kept waking me up because he was shaking off and pacing around the room.&nbsp; So I checked him, and he was covered.&nbsp; Chris and I woke up about 6:30 am (on a Saturday! arg!) and picked about 50 fleas off him.&nbsp; We realized we weren't getting anywhere, so we wound up going to the vet and getting him some treatment.&nbsp; My parents had to flea bomb my room at their house but the problem seems to be fixed now...he is flea free. <br /><br />My newest hobby is probably going to be estate sales.&nbsp; My mom and I went to one Saturday morning and I picked up a gorgeous and very good quality rug for $15! We put it in our bedroom and it actually looks great. AND I bought 2 sets of Lenox Christmas napkin holders that I don't think have ever been out of the box for $2...the price tag was still on the back and said $29.00 a SET! <br /><br />Saturday we got to have lunch with Chris, Sr., Warren and his girlfriend, &nbsp;Liz, Aunt Bette, and a special treat, Chris' grandparents, Nana and Matt, who live in CoCoa Beach, Florida.&nbsp; We had dinner with Tammy, Greg,&nbsp;Warren and Liz, and another treat,&nbsp;Chris' other set of grandparents&nbsp;from Georgia, Granny and GrandBob.&nbsp; It was&nbsp;so nice to get to spend some time with the grandparents we don't see as much as we wish we did.&nbsp; We&nbsp;wish we could have spent more time, but as usual, we&nbsp;were stretched very thin on our&nbsp;two-day trip so we tried our best to enjoy the time we had and look forward to the next time we can all get together!<br /><br />Saturday night, we did a little bit of celebrating to ring in Warren's 21st birthday, which officially started at midnight.&nbsp; A couple of weeks ago I was in Auburn celebrating my sister's 21st.&nbsp; I think it will probably be a while before I celebrate any more 21st birthdays, but they have been fun! Here is the ONLY picture I took this weekend...bad, Amanda! I have got to be more on top of things!<br /><br /><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jEX1CnaUo5w/T7UY_kZtrbI/AAAAAAAABBY/6PG1ZajZ9CU/s1600/warren+bday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jEX1CnaUo5w/T7UY_kZtrbI/AAAAAAAABBY/6PG1ZajZ9CU/s400/warren+bday.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us with Warren and his girlfriend, Liz.&nbsp; It was pouring rain at Skybar so we all got soaked! </td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br />Sunday morning I had a BLAST at the Clothes Rack helping my two engaged besties, Hannah and Lauren Emily, try on wedding gowns for their upcoming 2013 weddings! I am so excited for both of them and only wish their weddings were sooner! I am a bridesmaid in both weddings (and they were both bridesmaids in mine)...Hannah's is June 2013 in Auburn, and Lauren Emily's is November 2013 in Tampa.&nbsp; It meant a lot to get to help two of my best friends pick out their gowns in the store that I worked in for 6 1/2&nbsp;years and was such a big part of my life.&nbsp; Gayle (the owner and my old boss) let me open the store just&nbsp;for them Sunday morning...Lauren Emily bought a dress and I think Hannah has found her dress as well, but will need to order it.&nbsp; I have some pics, but sorry...I obviously can't post them! Don't want to spoil the surprise!! :)<br /><br />We had lunch Sunday at my parent's house with my mom, dad, and grandmother, and although we meant to leave very soon after lunch, we were so exhausted that we couldn't bring ourselves to get off the couch and pack until about 2 o' clock.&nbsp; We went by Chris' dad's one more time on the way out of town and finally made it home JUST in time for the Desperate Housewives series finale.&nbsp; I am so depressed that this show is ending that I really can't talk about it without getting emotional!&nbsp; Haha.&nbsp; I'm actually not <em>that</em> crazy, BUT I will say that I am really going to miss this awesome show and I can't think of a more appropriate ending to the series than what happened in the finale!<br /><br />This week has been a pretty good one...Chris passing his 88 ride with a good evaluation definitely helped.&nbsp; I am a little bummed out that I will be working in Birmingham Friday and all next week with a trip to Auburn in between, but then I will be going to Gulf Shores with Chris and my parents for Memorial Day weekend, so I have that to look forward to.&nbsp; It is so unnerving to find out you will be gone for 11 straight days with about 3 days notice, though.&nbsp; I am trying my best to leave the house clean for Chris, but at the same time I feel like it is a mess from me trying to pack everything.&nbsp; Y'all know I'm not a light packer. Thank goodness Chris is not one of those guys who whines about me having to be gone for work...he understands that working is important to me, and thankfully is not so dependant that he can't function on his own! I'm sure his meals aren't as elaborate when I'm gone, but he gets by and still looks nourished whenever I return so I trust he is making it okay!<br /><br />Tuesday night was the base-wide spouse social (we have two spouse groups...the base-wide "Columbus Spouse Club" and then the "Student Spouse Club")...and I'm proud to announce that the newest social chair for the Columbus Spouse Club is yours truly! I am really looking forward to this! I get to plan some fantastic socials...using someone Else's budget! ;) How fun is that going to be?<br /><br />Last night, for the first time in it seems like forever...I cooked a somewhat-elaborate meal, we had a bottle of wine, lit some candles, and had a nice, relaxed (not rushed) meal together.&nbsp; We realized how much we took this for granted back when Chris was on casual status (before he began training).&nbsp; Back then, every night was just us hanging out...just the epitome of the dream newlywed life!&nbsp; Now, he has to study and go to bed early...which I totally support and understand.&nbsp; But since he passed his 88 ride yesterday, we decided to celebrate a little and just relax together.&nbsp; I am so looking forward to spending the weekend away for Memorial Day weekend.&nbsp; Hopefully we will get some of the much needed "us" time that has been so difficult to squeeze in lately. <br /><br />Before I wrap it up, in honor of Mother's Day, I want to give a quick shout-out to moms! Esspecially our moms! Chris and I are both lucky to have moms who have supported us and encouraged us since the day we were born.&nbsp; Certainly we would not be who we are without our special moms.&nbsp; It is easy for me to see how Tammy made Chris into the husband that I adore, who loves to take care of me, support my goals,&nbsp;and always respects me.&nbsp; Tammy always encouraged Chris to be the best he could be, and&nbsp;was there for him&nbsp;from the time that he played&nbsp;just about every sport growing up, til he decided to join&nbsp;the Air Force...which I know had to be a very difficult thing to stand behind as a mom.&nbsp; &nbsp;I know that Chris sees a lot of my mom in me, and loves that I enjoy entertaining, making friends, and that I am a strong woman who can speak my mind.&nbsp; My mom constantly bends over backwards to help us out whenever she sees that we have a need.&nbsp; She is so creative and is always teaching me something new.&nbsp; We both love our mothers and our mothers-in-law and are incredibly lucky to have these two amazing women in our lives!<br /><br />Well, there's the update on our week! I know some of the small details about our day-to-day activities are boring to some, but I also know there are some of you who are interested and I'm so happy we can keep you updated this way! This weekend Tammy is being kind enough to throw me a Rodan + Fields launch party at her house, and then Meredith and I are having a joint launch in the Creekside Clubhouse from 6-8 pm...we will have some wine and hor 'duerves, and it will be a great time, so if you are in Auburn please come out and support us!Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-2934154410783347262012-05-08T11:37:00.001-05:002012-05-08T11:58:55.650-05:00Ups and Downs of the Air Force LifeI know it has been a couple of weeks since I posted! It has been a crazy couple of weeks.&nbsp; Two Fridays ago, I wrote a post and never put it on the site.&nbsp; Two weeks ago was really not such a good week. Last week got so much better, though!&nbsp; Now that we are out of the woods, I feel more like sharing what we were going through. <br /><br />The one highlight of two weeks ago&nbsp;was how sweet everybody was to call, text, email, and Facebook me on my birthday! Thanks everyone! Instead of taking forever to go through this post and change it for "past tense" instead of "present tense", I'm just going to post it as it was written on April 27:<br /><br />So.&nbsp; Poor Chris.&nbsp; Some of you may know that he has struggled with motion sickness since he started flying, which was actually a couple of years ago at the Academy.&nbsp; The T-6 is the most powerful plane he has ever flown in and the motion sickness hasn't gotten a whole lot better since he has been flying it.&nbsp; There are times when he gets through the flight just fine, but there are times that he gets so sick he can't fly the plane.&nbsp; This is not uncommon, it happens to a lot of pilot students.&nbsp; The body can adjust to the motions of the plane, and eventually it just gets used the motions and you stop getting sick.&nbsp; This takes longer for some than for others. There is a very specific regimen that the Air Force uses to help people overcome their motion sickness.<br /><br />Step one is medication.&nbsp; You can take these medications, which are a combination of stuff to help you not get sick and amphetamines to help you stay awake because the other stuff can make you drowsy on its own.&nbsp; Amphetamines are highly regulated.&nbsp; You can only take those medicines for 3 days.&nbsp; While you take them, you are flying so your body is actually adjusting to the motions of the plane without having the symptoms of motion sickness that disrupt your flight.&nbsp; The idea is, by the time you fly 3 more times, once you are off the medication your body has adjusted and you don't get sick anymore.<br /><br />Unfortunately, between Chris' cold and some bad weather that resulted in cancelled flights, Chris took his medicine for 3 days but did not get to fly all 3 of those days...then he actually&nbsp; had a 10 day break before he flew again.&nbsp; The medicines really didn't get to serve their purpose.&nbsp;The Air Force is really cut-and-dry.&nbsp; They won't give him a chance to take the medicine again.<br /><br />If you still get sick after the medicine regimen, you go to step two. Chris got sick on his flight on Monday.&nbsp; He couldn't finish his flight, so his instructor pilot had to take over.&nbsp; On to step two.<br /><br />So step two is the spin chair.&nbsp; This is what everyone wants to avoid because it is not pleasant.&nbsp; They spin you around in this chair basically until you vomit.&nbsp; It's designed to be 100x worse than a flight should ever have to be.&nbsp; It is such an extreme version of the worst possible motion sickness scenario, that it is very effective in adjusting your body to the motions of the plane...if your body can adjust to the spin chair, it is going to be able to handle a plane ride no-problem.&nbsp; After 3 days in the chair, each day spinning for 3 10-minute sessions, most people's bodies are adjusted and they are over their motion sickness.<br /><br />Chris has been doing the chair the past few days.&nbsp; Obviously this has made his days terrible. The doctor told him to eat foods he didn't mind throwing up.&nbsp; They make you do all sorts of things while you are spinning to make it as bad as possible...close your eyes, head down.&nbsp; Open your eyes, head and arms up.&nbsp; <br /><br />If you continue to have motion sickness to the point where you can't fly the plane, you move on to step three.&nbsp; Step three is, you are dismissed from pilot training and go take another Air Force job. Please pray that Chris won't have to go to step 3. <br /><br />Things are looking pretty good at the moment.&nbsp; Monday was the day he got sick.&nbsp; He knew he would get assigned the chair on Tuesday, so Monday was not a good night.&nbsp; We were both already very stressed about the possibility of having to move to step 3, even though we weren't to step 2 yet.&nbsp; Tuesday was better...he did not get sick in flight.&nbsp; However, he still got assigned to the chair.&nbsp; Wednesday he also did not get sick in his flight, but that afternoon was his first chair session.&nbsp; In the first 10-minute spin, he didn't get too sick.&nbsp; On the second and third spins, he got sick and threw up both times.&nbsp; Yesterday, he did not get sick in flight again.&nbsp; He got sick in the chair but did not throw up.&nbsp; Unfortunately, he felt sick the rest of the day after that.&nbsp; Autumn and I went to a beer tasting/food pairing dinner in downtown Columbus...Chris (and Jon) wasn't able to come because they didn't get released until about 9.&nbsp; They met us when they got out, but you could tell Chris didn't feel well.&nbsp; Today he's doing a simulation but he is going to get spun one more time on Monday and fly....then, after that, we just hope that he is going to be cured of his motion sickness. <br /><br />I also did not have a good week at work.&nbsp; The excess stress from home, plus a couple of computer malfunctions did not help.&nbsp; I'm ready for this week to be over.&nbsp; Also, Chris is supposed to solo next week.&nbsp; I did not expect him to solo this early, but I am really upset because I'm afraid I may be in Birmingham working and won't be able to make it back to watch him get dunked in the pool of water (it's a tradition after you solo the first time for you to try to run back into the flight room, and if your classmates can catch you, they throw you into this nasty pool of sitting water).&nbsp; Obviously, I want to share in all the excitement and take pictures.&nbsp; This is kind of a milestone.&nbsp; So I'm just praying for some heavy rain next week.&nbsp; Maybe his solo can get delayed until I am scheduled to be back in Columbus on Thursday. <br />I'm headed to Auburn for the weekend and Chris is going to stay here.&nbsp; I'm looking forward to being with friends and family, but I'm bummed out about Chris not being able to come.&nbsp; I am taking Monday off of work to help my sister, Jessica, ring in her 21st birthday.&nbsp; Tuesday morning I'm heading to Birmingham to work there until Thursday, which is also the day of my Rodan + Fields launch event here in Columbus.<br /><br /><strong>Okay!!</strong>&nbsp; That was my blog for April 27, which I never published. So before I move forward with the events of last week, I'm sure you are all wondering what wound up happening with Chris.&nbsp; He seems to be cured of his motion sickness, hooray! Thank you for your prayers.&nbsp; He soloed last Monday, and sadly, I missed it.&nbsp; However, he sent me this video of him getting dunked. This dunking process was traditionally a LOT more rambunctious than it is now.&nbsp; But apparently some guy got a concussion recently when his head hit the side of the dunk tank, so until all that blows over, they have to be pretty gentle with the dunking :) They still have nasty water, though! (For full screen, click the icon in the lower right corner of the video).<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw6sRTDEdaRf6v9BC2ObYbcm0qOOpcdAsNy9KcKEyUpH3R25JMrham2jbGZEPd0HF3K8gQR7eNEWQ4mmTsj' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Let's hope he never has to return to the chair! Since then, he's had several good flights. On Friday, he soloed again and there was some confusion in the air traffic control tower that could have caused several planes to collide.&nbsp; Chris stayed calm under pressure and increased his altitude, which, in effect, prevented the collisions.&nbsp; That just goes to show you that just because this is "just training", doesn't mean that Chris' day-to-day job is completely safe...this is a very scary realization for me, but I suppose that is what I signed up for when I said "I do"...when you become a military wife, you are really saying "I do" to a whole lot more than most wives! "I do" vow to never let my own anxiety over Chris' job affect the way he gets treated at home.&nbsp; But I'm so thankful to be where we are and to get to hear the stories every day when he gets home.<br /><br />I had a great weekend in Auburn two weekends ago visiting with everyone.&nbsp; I got to spend time with some of my girlfriends, with my family (including my sister's 21st birthday celebration), Chris' family, former co-workers, I got to pay a visit to the Auburn School of Accountancy, and I did some business while I was there.&nbsp; Busy, busy weekend but so much fun! Here are some pics:<br /><br /><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m60HHV_BT0s/T6lDLm-0tUI/AAAAAAAAA-0/hgr1dKBJBkU/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m60HHV_BT0s/T6lDLm-0tUI/AAAAAAAAA-0/hgr1dKBJBkU/s400/12.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica and me at the Auburn University Singers Show..so proud of my talented little sis...she blew an Adele song out of the water on her solo! It was fantastic!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJbFWR46bHs/T6lDMoElTzI/AAAAAAAAA-8/EyoAnwspsR4/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJbFWR46bHs/T6lDMoElTzI/AAAAAAAAA-8/EyoAnwspsR4/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family birthday celebration.&nbsp; Jessica and I are 3 years and 4 days apart. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wO1_UZrFc0/T6lDN1f570I/AAAAAAAAA_A/nkvLeEti9wY/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wO1_UZrFc0/T6lDN1f570I/AAAAAAAAA_A/nkvLeEti9wY/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 21st, Jessica! Wearing the crown I gave her (I also gave her that wand to carry out) and her b-day sign with a list of 21 tasks to complete while out on the town!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QFC71WhyHZs/T6lDPEjXoLI/AAAAAAAAA_M/Ykao_WfS_z4/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QFC71WhyHZs/T6lDPEjXoLI/AAAAAAAAA_M/Ykao_WfS_z4/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara and Lauren also joined us because they love Jessica like a sis! The two girls on the right are Jessica's friends from the education program at Auburn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2evjdLCDqI/T6lDR3sKITI/AAAAAAAAA_U/pxJ-p4YFGZk/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2evjdLCDqI/T6lDR3sKITI/AAAAAAAAA_U/pxJ-p4YFGZk/s400/13.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday dinner with Tammy, Greg, Warren, and Aunt Bette at Hamilton's.</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwWu8AWXkFQ/T6lID4esULI/AAAAAAAAA_g/VYszL4H_bnU/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwWu8AWXkFQ/T6lID4esULI/AAAAAAAAA_g/VYszL4H_bnU/s400/19.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand opening of the Event Center's upstairs lounge.&nbsp; Love the cozy atmosphere and view!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2DoleBut8k/T6lIGS07coI/AAAAAAAAA_o/47g24Chc0JE/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2DoleBut8k/T6lIGS07coI/AAAAAAAAA_o/47g24Chc0JE/s400/16.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the upstairs patio</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ud74a22JB90/T6lIHZCULII/AAAAAAAAA_w/QzpDD2cKs-Q/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ud74a22JB90/T6lIHZCULII/AAAAAAAAA_w/QzpDD2cKs-Q/s400/15.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs patio again</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRlKZpFYzZQ/T6lIQkbC9cI/AAAAAAAAA_4/L1yBwtFdnfQ/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRlKZpFYzZQ/T6lIQkbC9cI/AAAAAAAAA_4/L1yBwtFdnfQ/s400/17.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs bar area</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On&nbsp;a side note, one of my coworkers showed me where Chris and I were in the local paper a couple of weeks ago on the opening day of the Farmer's Market (second down on the right side).&nbsp; Next to us is another couple from base, Amanda and Nils Lorenz.&nbsp; Amanda and I went to an afternoon of Pilgrimage tours a few weeks ago and she also came to my launch this week.&nbsp; She's a sweet girl and I'm glad I'm getting to know her! My coworker was kind enough to laminate this for us...the "Scene and be Seen" page...I guess we are really "making it" here in Columbus, haha!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCHLjtONoA8/T6lJXwAx05I/AAAAAAAABAA/D4llIcc6JJU/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCHLjtONoA8/T6lJXwAx05I/AAAAAAAABAA/D4llIcc6JJU/s400/14.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />I left from Auburn last Tuesday morning and drove to Birmingham to work there until Thursday.&nbsp; Thursday, Meredith came back to Columbus with me to help me with my Rodan + Fields launch event.&nbsp; The theme was wine and cheese.&nbsp; I had a great turnout, it was really laid back and a nice time.&nbsp; Meredith and I were able to practice showcasing the products, and everyone was impressed by them after hearing how effective they are, seeing before/after pictures, and getting the chance to sample a few.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqKPVu36v6g/T6lJjxDaNtI/AAAAAAAABAI/92ovlNOD7p4/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqKPVu36v6g/T6lJjxDaNtI/AAAAAAAABAI/92ovlNOD7p4/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith and I with the table of all the great products! Thank goodness Meredith came to help me, because we had about an hour and ten minutes to get ready for the party once we got to Columbus from Birmingham!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Pdgi5yh58/T6lJlrp8K9I/AAAAAAAABAQ/RyfhmggHAXg/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Pdgi5yh58/T6lJlrp8K9I/AAAAAAAABAQ/RyfhmggHAXg/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />After the launch, a few of us headed downtown to a photography studio where they were holding an art show/beer tasting.&nbsp; That was very interesting and I found out that they have events like those the first Thursday of every month.&nbsp; Like I said before, Columbus actually has plenty to do if you take the time to look for it!<br /><br />Friday night we played cards over at Jon and Autumn's, and the next day we spent at Market Street Festival, which is Columbus' biggest event every year.&nbsp; There were probably 100+ vendors there selling all kinds of unique goods.&nbsp; There were also concerts and shows (a cheer competition, even!) and lots of food.&nbsp; Saturday was also Cinco de Mayo.&nbsp; We came home mid-afternoon for a break from the sun and heat, and I made a mexican dinner.&nbsp; Yum!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sfQNqHkiDo/T6lJ8OfMVUI/AAAAAAAABA4/Ke-UDAs0x1U/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sfQNqHkiDo/T6lJ8OfMVUI/AAAAAAAABA4/Ke-UDAs0x1U/s400/5.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break from cards to cuddle the pups!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT-Rrrxmyi0/T6lJ9U9MsjI/AAAAAAAABBA/J0MH_agU8bU/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT-Rrrxmyi0/T6lJ9U9MsjI/AAAAAAAABBA/J0MH_agU8bU/s400/6.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N11ERnXch4o/T6lJ6Fft-iI/AAAAAAAABAo/-J7LRO5tDp0/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N11ERnXch4o/T6lJ6Fft-iI/AAAAAAAABAo/-J7LRO5tDp0/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris with this ginormous car that was at the car show at Market Street Festival</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGPoCAQ_Mu4/T6lJ67cZeVI/AAAAAAAABAw/m1Iu9pa8XAY/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGPoCAQ_Mu4/T6lJ67cZeVI/AAAAAAAABAw/m1Iu9pa8XAY/s400/4.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found this painting by Nicole Bexton at the art gallery this weekend in downtown Columbus...we thought it bore&nbsp;a stiking resemblance to the picture below of Mason (which is our most likely choice to enter into the Humane Society contest)...isn't that crazy?? Haha.&nbsp; We wanted to buy it pretty badly but it was $875, so I may just have to recreate it at Sips-N-Strokes one of these days...</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0N7j0n7FOhs/T6lKALbyVHI/AAAAAAAABBI/R4UnkRFfXI0/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0N7j0n7FOhs/T6lKALbyVHI/AAAAAAAABBI/R4UnkRFfXI0/s400/8.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CO_-h-TomQg/T6lJ45JNhmI/AAAAAAAABAg/I68yniMdmJc/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CO_-h-TomQg/T6lJ45JNhmI/AAAAAAAABAg/I68yniMdmJc/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-we41Urg3reQ/T6lJ4GCiRHI/AAAAAAAABAY/dSgOxW-Wcqg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-we41Urg3reQ/T6lJ4GCiRHI/AAAAAAAABAY/dSgOxW-Wcqg/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken enchilada casserole, tomato/cucumber/avacado/corn salad, and a Modelo.&nbsp; Happy Cinco de Mayo!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Once again, I'm sorry for not keeping up with the blog for so long.&nbsp; As you can see, there has been a lot going on and it may have finally caught up to me! I will do better going forward! <br /><br />Thanks for reading! We are looking forward to traveling home this weekend for Mother's Day.&nbsp; We also have the special treat of getting to see&nbsp;both sets of Chris' grandparents that we do not get to visit with very often.&nbsp; We have another project underway that I can't wait to share more about.&nbsp; These are exciting times! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-81615536433120394892012-04-20T14:47:00.001-05:002012-04-20T22:30:05.980-05:00War Damn Rodeo and the rest of our week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AmCV1UR9j2k/T5FvQYRgAII/AAAAAAAAA8s/dRzvdLB3lyA/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Happy Friday, y'all! I can't tell y'all how happy I am that it is FINALLY here.&nbsp; And what a week it has been!! <br /><br />First of all, I want to ask you to *pretty please* hop over to my new page on this blog (you will see the page options at the top of the page), "Rodan + Fields".&nbsp; This week was a big week for us because I decided to start my own business selling a product that I <i>really </i>believe in: Rodan + Fields dermatalogical skin care lines.&nbsp; The income potential with this company is amazing, and so far I have loved taking on this new project! I believe that a second&nbsp;income source for me could&nbsp;help tremendously in us&nbsp;reaching our financial goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;I have also&nbsp;always dreamed of owning my own business, becasue there are so many personal and financial rewards (hello, tax deductions!).&nbsp; I am getting my box full of sample products today and I could not be more excited!&nbsp;I could keep going on and on about it, but I'm going to go into more detail on the page I am dedicating just to my business. <br /><br />All I'm going to ask is that you all at least read through the page and support me in my new venture...that means that if you know anyone that you think my products would help, <i>please</i> refer them to my website (which is <a href="http://amandabeck.myrandf.com/">http://amandabeck.myrandf.com/</a> ).&nbsp; ALSO, if you know anyone that could use a second (or even first!) source of income, please share this opportunity with them and encourage them to talk to me! I am so excited about the potential that this product has and would love to help someone else be a part of the amazing team of consultants that I joined this week!<br /><br /><b>If nothing else...just check out my page to see the sweet discounts that I will be offering my first customers until June 30. :)</b><br /><br /><b>Second order of business:</b>&nbsp; We are entering Mason in the Lee County Humane Society calendar contest! <br /><br />See: <a href="http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html">http://leecountyhumane.org/special/calendar.html</a><br /><br />We have narrowed our entries down to the following pictures, and I would REALLY appreciate your input on which one we should choose! <br /><div align="center"><b>Option 1: </b>﻿</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXDV5acsvhw/T5FtWlppjOI/AAAAAAAAA8U/lceyz30Hq0E/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXDV5acsvhw/T5FtWlppjOI/AAAAAAAAA8U/lceyz30Hq0E/s320/8.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div align="center"><b>Option 2: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPMOQOeKBaE/T5Fteda5WZI/AAAAAAAAA8c/gja7adHn4EQ/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPMOQOeKBaE/T5Fteda5WZI/AAAAAAAAA8c/gja7adHn4EQ/s320/16.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Option 3:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZQJeiFg4Ck/T5FtjNmOT_I/AAAAAAAAA8k/ZnJ4lN9sRbo/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZQJeiFg4Ck/T5FtjNmOT_I/AAAAAAAAA8k/ZnJ4lN9sRbo/s320/9.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Email me or add your favorite to the comments at the bottom of this blog! :) Thanks! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The entry fee is $10 to enter if you have a great pic of your pup...not that we want any competition, BUT it is for a great cause! Also, the votes are $1 each and also go to the Humane Society, so once we choose a picture, we would appreciate your tax-deductible votes! Thanks, Tammy, for letting us know about this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This weekend Chris and I and a bunch of other folks from the class made the trip to Auburn to participate in the Alpha Psi rodeo.&nbsp; In case anyone is confused about the title of this post, we really need to get you up to date on Auburn! But, you (should) know how we say "War Damn Eagle"? Well...at the rodeo, we say "War Damn Rodeo".&nbsp; So now you know :) Oh my gosh did I have an awesome time.&nbsp; I couldn't think of anything better than being surrounded by old AND new friends, as some of my best girlfriends from Auburn were there! (Those that were missing...you know who you are! And I expect you to be there next time, if there is one, haha)<br /><br />Here are some pics...but before you look, please read this disclaimer::: <i>The rodeo is all in good fun and requires everyone to dress up as complete rednecks and act like complete rednecks for an entire day.&nbsp; These pictures do not represent the values or lifestyle of anyone pictured, and do not accurately represent Auburn University, the US Air Force, or the state of Alabama.&nbsp; Okay, maybe they do sort of represent Alabama, but they don't represent Lee County! </i><br /><br />&nbsp;Here goes.&nbsp; <b>And a special thanks to Chris Beck, Sr. and my sister, Jessica, for driving our rather large group to the rodeo in the back of your trucks...as well as to Aaron Braden and Drew Hull for driving us back when the shuttle line was way too long! Thanks to my parents for putting a bunch of us up, cooking breakfast, and taking pics.&nbsp; Also, thanks Jess for taking care of wittle MayMay all day.&nbsp; As you can see...attending the rodeo requires quite the support group.&nbsp;Y'all rock!</b><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNjVg90h-Fs/T5FvcyUXU7I/AAAAAAAAA98/ZGs7KLzloSg/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNjVg90h-Fs/T5FvcyUXU7I/AAAAAAAAA98/ZGs7KLzloSg/s640/20.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I scoured the internet for the perfect redneck shirt for the rodeo, and found it...I am going to HAVE to find an occasion to wear this gem again!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsghO3oAm3s/T5Fvdi-HkXI/AAAAAAAAA-E/1QuCxZ5g-Ks/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsghO3oAm3s/T5Fvdi-HkXI/AAAAAAAAA-E/1QuCxZ5g-Ks/s640/21.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZsKc95ydqY/T5FveUU-6fI/AAAAAAAAA-M/b3LRtGQvPtM/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZsKc95ydqY/T5FveUU-6fI/AAAAAAAAA-M/b3LRtGQvPtM/s640/22.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I feel like this picture belongs in a Nascar magazine somewhere...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64o-YVHdyvM/T5Fve-44S1I/AAAAAAAAA-U/UsVKKC8LB-w/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64o-YVHdyvM/T5Fve-44S1I/AAAAAAAAA-U/UsVKKC8LB-w/s640/5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm proud to say I actually made the shorts we wore to the rodeo.&nbsp; Well I didn't actually sew them but I spray painted them.&nbsp; Here they are in my yard last week. I used painters tape and cut-out stars. </span></td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />﻿﻿ <br />﻿﻿ <br />﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&lt;&gt;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tf6w-7HwHs/T5Fvb4Q_xWI/AAAAAAAAA90/ggIa4l8ffzY/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tf6w-7HwHs/T5Fvb4Q_xWI/AAAAAAAAA90/ggIa4l8ffzY/s640/19.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgwWjeEBgG8/T5FvXN268OI/AAAAAAAAA9U/78L9J4HtqqY/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgwWjeEBgG8/T5FvXN268OI/AAAAAAAAA9U/78L9J4HtqqY/s640/14.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ ﻿﻿ ﻿﻿ <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tf6w-7HwHs/T5Fvb4Q_xWI/AAAAAAAAA90/ggIa4l8ffzY/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tf6w-7HwHs/T5Fvb4Q_xWI/AAAAAAAAA90/ggIa4l8ffzY/s640/19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1t6Q6kBnAfU/T5FvYwg7YLI/AAAAAAAAA9c/b22lEBXEVvs/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1t6Q6kBnAfU/T5FvYwg7YLI/AAAAAAAAA9c/b22lEBXEVvs/s640/15.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJk13q66aTI/T5Fv1WpYPoI/AAAAAAAAA-c/wpKTNuCjSLM/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJk13q66aTI/T5Fv1WpYPoI/AAAAAAAAA-c/wpKTNuCjSLM/s640/17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have you ever seen such a good looking group of guys? Would you believe that on top of looking that good, they also defend our country in the Air Force? haha...yeah, I'm sure most other people didn't, either. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTGbTHubFUQ/T5FvRQIEoVI/AAAAAAAAA80/CYZl34IVIBY/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9GXmmh31WE/T5FvaAW1OaI/AAAAAAAAA9k/k19TFr_J06o/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9GXmmh31WE/T5FvaAW1OaI/AAAAAAAAA9k/k19TFr_J06o/s640/16.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is my husband, biting into a whole chicken.&nbsp; He really went all out with his outfit and the mustache and all.&nbsp; Have you ever looked at your husband and thought "wow...I signed up to procreate with that person one day! ahhhh!"&nbsp; I had my moment right there, haha.&nbsp; </span><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDHgUIQNmmc/T5Fva_C0O1I/AAAAAAAAA9s/uCj7YQL2wU0/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDHgUIQNmmc/T5Fva_C0O1I/AAAAAAAAA9s/uCj7YQL2wU0/s640/18.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the rodeo, the cool thing to do is nap under a raised truck...here Jon and Chris are, beating the heat.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>﻿</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-901G7ajKVU8/T5FvV0WNSSI/AAAAAAAAA9M/FPcvYjGkA04/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-901G7ajKVU8/T5FvV0WNSSI/AAAAAAAAA9M/FPcvYjGkA04/s640/13.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And here we are trying to get in some rest in the shade!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿﻿&nbsp;﻿ ﻿﻿﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KolDhOKv56Q/T5FvUmuXh8I/AAAAAAAAA9E/wbN0xS_sWqk/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KolDhOKv56Q/T5FvUmuXh8I/AAAAAAAAA9E/wbN0xS_sWqk/s640/12.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Awesome moment of the day? Our friend, Nancy (also in Chris' pilot class) won VIP tickets to the Eric Church/Easton Corbin concert at the end of the day!! She got two and gave me one, so we got some AWESOME pics of the concert!</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEZ1-mHQirQ/T5FvSpR8iyI/AAAAAAAAA88/zFkYn1r8RkQ/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEZ1-mHQirQ/T5FvSpR8iyI/AAAAAAAAA88/zFkYn1r8RkQ/s640/11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Easton Corbin and his band</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTGbTHubFUQ/T5FvRQIEoVI/AAAAAAAAA80/CYZl34IVIBY/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTGbTHubFUQ/T5FvRQIEoVI/AAAAAAAAA80/CYZl34IVIBY/s640/10.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eric Church! I'm so obsessed with him now and I have to see him in concert again.&nbsp; He was amazing!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AmCV1UR9j2k/T5FvQYRgAII/AAAAAAAAA8s/dRzvdLB3lyA/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AmCV1UR9j2k/T5FvQYRgAII/AAAAAAAAA8s/dRzvdLB3lyA/s640/9.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eric Church was drinking out of this Jack Daniels bottle for a couple of his drinking-themed songs (after all...it is country music!) &nbsp;haha.&nbsp; I took a little potty break and when I came back, he had given it to Nancy from the stage! How cool is that!?</span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">﻿﻿﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sunday, we had a fun birthday brunch at the Moores Mill Club for Tammy.&nbsp; Tammy hated Chris' mustache, so we came up with a good plan for her brunch.&nbsp; When we got there, Chris walked up with her card over his mustache and she was like "did you shave it!?"&nbsp; I know she thought he was about to take the card off his face and reveal a clean shave...but nope! He still had the bushy mustache! I know she was so dissapointed!&nbsp; Then, once we sat down at our table, he excused himself to go to the restroom and came back with no mustache.&nbsp; It was soooo nice to see the top of my hubby's lip again! However, I must say...the month and a half of scruffy Chris was so worth his look for the rodeo.&nbsp; I mean, of all the rednecks there...I think he must have looked the most genuine! <br /><br />Sunday night I stayed in Birmingham with my friend Meredith, who I owe big-time for introducing me to Rodan + Fields.&nbsp; She had her launch party and it was so much fun...nothing at all like some other parties I've been to where you feel pressured to buy anything.&nbsp; We basically just got a chance to sample the products, and after attending her launch, I (as well as 3 of her other guests!) were sold on the opportunity to join the business.<br /><br />I worked in Birmingham through Wednesday.&nbsp; The weather was rough for a couple of days...check out this picture I took outside my office building downtown: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rC0r3gf45Ng/T5F0SCag3AI/AAAAAAAAA-k/XwutMosGVNw/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rC0r3gf45Ng/T5F0SCag3AI/AAAAAAAAA-k/XwutMosGVNw/s400/1.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think I should turn this into the marketing department and they should run an add like..."When life looks stormy...you can trust Cadence!" Okay, that's cheesy, but that's why I don't work in Marketing!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Chris&nbsp; has had a slow couple of weeks.&nbsp; He was sick the past couple of days with a head cold, and there has also been some bad weather.&nbsp; Today he finally got cleared to fly again! However, as I write this, I am looking out my window and see some cloudy skies.&nbsp; Hopefully the weather will cooperate.&nbsp; We are hoping that he will be able to solo next week.&nbsp; He did get through his first block of training, which consisted of 6 intro (i.e. basic) flights focusing on aircraft control, landings, and stalls (what I refer to as free-falling...so scary! But not for him!) Now he's working on perfecting those skills and doing spins in the plane.&nbsp; He has started studying about the instruments and doing simulators for those. Instruments are what you use when you fly in bad weather and have no outside visibility. <br /><br />Here is a video that gives an example of what he is working on...still freaks me out, but I guess they get pretty comfortable with it! I mean just watching this makes me want to vomit:<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4MZE2k6gREc?rel=0" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />I can't believe I am going to be 24 in 6 days! I remember what a special birthday 23 was...I actually took my fourth and final CPA exam last year on the 26th.&nbsp; What a feeling that was! Literally <i>everything</i> that has happened since then has been a positive in my life.&nbsp; Right after I turned 23, I graduated about&nbsp;2 weeks later, got married and I feel like the entire year of 23 was nothing but fun, fun, fun.&nbsp; I couldn't ask for anything more.&nbsp; I am going to do everything possible to make sure that 24 is no different! I know this time last year I was probably hating my life while I tried to get through that last exam...now that it's over, I can truly appreciate the work I put into it.&nbsp; I get my CPA certificate via certified mail on the week of May 14 and I can't WAIT to frame that sucker and put it on the wall! <br /><br />As usual, Thanks for reading...and check out the R+F page please :)Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-7360561095443386572012-04-20T08:49:00.004-05:002012-04-20T14:50:10.476-05:00Friday Favs!I skipped Friday Favs last week because I didn't have time to upload all the pictures! This week I didn't really have any "favs" though, so here is what I wanted to share from last week: <br /><div align="center"><strong>Favorite Household Tip: Sustainable Green Onions</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">I use green onions all the time while cooking, and even throw them into recipes that don't call for them, just for the color.&nbsp; I also substitute them for scallions sometimes.&nbsp; I saw this tip online, and had to try it. ﻿It has been working pretty great so far!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Put green onions that you have almost completely used into a glass of water and place it by your window.&nbsp; Here is what mine looked like&nbsp;Easter Sunday when I first started...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tdUn3KdSa9o/T5FndxtTBFI/AAAAAAAAA7s/5JqIavjerqg/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tdUn3KdSa9o/T5FndxtTBFI/AAAAAAAAA7s/5JqIavjerqg/s320/4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And here they are on Monday.&nbsp; You should see them now! They are about 8" tall.&nbsp; I need to trim them down and use them in a recipe.&nbsp; I will just use scissors to cut them off when I need them.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Favorite Money (and Calorie) Saving Recipe: Homemade Peanut Butter</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">This one was easy-peasy and is soooo much healthier than store bought peanut butter.&nbsp; Chris likes to eat peanut butter and honey sandwhiches before flying because I guess it helps keep him from getting sick.&nbsp; All you need to make homemade peanut butter is peanuts and olive oil.&nbsp; I bought salted peanuts, but if you bought unsalted ones you may want to add some salt.&nbsp; I couldn't tell you how much olive oil I used...I just kept adding it until it looked like there was enough! Also, we added a touch of *real* honey that we bought at the farmer's market...we liked the flavor it gave.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gH7mU9LlFEY/T5FolG45bbI/AAAAAAAAA8E/zhHcszanaXc/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gH7mU9LlFEY/T5FolG45bbI/AAAAAAAAA8E/zhHcszanaXc/s320/6.JPG" width="239" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Easter Sunday, I used the peanut butter and blended it with more honey, some soy sauce, and chicken broth to make a glaze for the ham.&nbsp; It was delicious and a couple of people commented on how good the peanut butter taste was with the ham.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">﻿<strong>Favorite New Veggie Discovery of the Week: Kale</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but neither Chris nor I had ever had kale before.&nbsp; So when we saw it for sale at the farmer's market on Saturday morning, we decided to give it a shot.&nbsp; I didn't really know what to do with it.&nbsp; Originally I planned to use it in a salad, but I wound up finding this recipe that had a bunch of stuff that I already had in my pantry, and giving it a try for dinner Sunday night.&nbsp; It was soooo good...we will definitely be having this again!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-yam-and-kale-salad/detail.aspx?event8=1&amp;prop24=SR_Title&amp;e11=kale&amp;e8=Quick%20Search&amp;event10=1&amp;e7=Home%20Page">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-yam-and-kale-salad/detail.aspx?event8=1&amp;prop24=SR_Title&amp;e11=kale&amp;e8=Quick%20Search&amp;event10=1&amp;e7=Home%20Page</a>&nbsp;(Roasted Yam and Kale Salad)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, I know it sounds wierd...maybe even a little gross to some...but it was SO yummy! We love sweet potatoes, so we figured it would be pretty good but it was better than we thought it would be.&nbsp; I added some gorgonzola cheese, and I think that enhanced the recipe even more. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>﻿Favorite Entertaining Idea: Champagne Bar</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">This worked really nicely and was so elegant and fun! I set out ﻿both Champagne and Spumante (they taste a little different), and for fruit I put out fresh strawberries from the farmer's market, canned peaches because I had them, and some frozen fruit (frozen fruit is always good to include because they also can act as ice cubes to keep it cold.&nbsp; The guys mostly just put fruit in their champagne, but the girls liked to make mimosas.&nbsp; So I set out some regular orange juice and some delicious mango-pineapple-apple-grape juice mixture (Welch's).&nbsp; Such a cute presentation, very easy,&nbsp;and lots of fun! It was perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9e2rKd8oSpA/T5FoRKVYNbI/AAAAAAAAA70/v3zy-PCqqO0/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9e2rKd8oSpA/T5FoRKVYNbI/AAAAAAAAA70/v3zy-PCqqO0/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSWHq4z6n04/T5FoRxRmxaI/AAAAAAAAA78/acztuOHEvro/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSWHq4z6n04/T5FoRxRmxaI/AAAAAAAAA78/acztuOHEvro/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Favorite Wardrobe Addition of the Week: Toms</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have always liked the idea of Tom's shoes (they give one pair of shoes to a child who needs them for every pair they sell)...but...I just didn't like how they looked! I bought this pair and it came in the mail last week.&nbsp; I have been wearing them constantly because they are so comfy, cute, and they have holes in them so it's not gross that I can't wear socks with them! :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lkcTCiIWVI/T5FpVFMzYkI/AAAAAAAAA8M/P7ilZcFlQws/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lkcTCiIWVI/T5FpVFMzYkI/AAAAAAAAA8M/P7ilZcFlQws/s320/7.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ignore the safety pin keeping the hem of my pants together, haha...yeah I know, I really need new pants.&nbsp; I've had these since high school though...I guess they have sentimental value! </td></tr></tbody></table>﻿</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-47056792469952040392012-04-09T11:17:00.000-05:002012-04-09T19:13:38.079-05:00Pilgrimage, Easter, & Chris Flies!Hey y'all! I know it has been a while since I did a "life" blog.&nbsp;&nbsp; This Pilgrimage was the past two weeks and I had so many pictures to share, I wanted to do them all in one post.&nbsp; I had fun hosting at three different houses and getting to dress in this antebellum dress...homemade by some of the wives on base...which did not include me! They are really some talented ladies! I got to wear a hoop skirt underneath, and when I was standing in those beautiful old homes surrounded by&nbsp;antiques and other people dressed like me, I felt just like I was Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind, my favorite book...at least I felt how Scarlett O'Hara felt at the beginning when she was surrounded by lots of parties and nice things.. Maybe not so much like how&nbsp;she felt at the end when she was dirt poor and starving... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51VmT3lmS0A/T4Lw1kHZneI/AAAAAAAAA24/sFaof6GJiVs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51VmT3lmS0A/T4Lw1kHZneI/AAAAAAAAA24/sFaof6GJiVs/s320/1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last Saturday, Chris and I went on a couple of the home tours together during the morning.&nbsp; First we went to this one, which is called Rosedale.&nbsp; It was filled with the most exquisite, incredible antique furniture I have ever seen.&nbsp; It has been restored to its original state by the family that now lives there.&nbsp; This includes details right down to the wallpaper and rugs, most of which were hand made and imported from Europe.&nbsp; They had some kind of experts come in to examine the house and determine what kinds of patterns would have originally been there.&nbsp; I didn't really take pictures of the insides of any of the houses, because some you were allowed to take pictures, and some you weren't so I just didn't want to take my chances. If you want to see the insides, you will just have to come down next year from the Pilgrimage, or perhaps this fall for the fall tours of homes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Go-axBDgZdE/T4Lxpmr8sBI/AAAAAAAAA3A/vx3aaAEZIZc/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Go-axBDgZdE/T4Lxpmr8sBI/AAAAAAAAA3A/vx3aaAEZIZc/s320/2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />I kind of had to drag Chris with me to see the homes that morning, but he actually really enjoyed it.&nbsp; Chris and I both have an appreciation for beautiful things, and these homes are chock full of them.&nbsp; Chris said he doesn't think he could do the home tours all day long the way I could, but he definitely enjoyed seeing a few of them with me.&nbsp; We also went to Twelve Gables that morning, which is a historic home here in Columbus where a few women got together and decided to go to the cemetery to decorate the graves of Yankee soldiers.&nbsp; They felt bad because no one had decorated those graves, yet the graves of the Confederate soldiers were all decorated.&nbsp; These women realized that the Yankee soldiers also had wives and mothers and children who were mourning their deaths, but could not visit their graves.&nbsp; This act of kindness led to an article being written about it in the New York Times, which eventually inspired a famous poem called "The Blue and the Gray".&nbsp; I'm not going to put the poem here, but if you have a minute, I would suggest finding it online because it really is a moving poem. <br /><br />Chris and I had lunch at the Quartier Cafe, and then headed over to the Artisans Alley.&nbsp; I mentioned those two stops on my Friday Favs post.&nbsp; After that, I met up with another one of the wives that I know from the base and we went on a few more home tours while Chris went home to study.&nbsp; Here are the ones we explored together:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSZpzirlUOs/T4Ly-UxQaTI/AAAAAAAAA3I/LAIkERdSWk0/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSZpzirlUOs/T4Ly-UxQaTI/AAAAAAAAA3I/LAIkERdSWk0/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This house is called Whitehall and has always remained in the same family.&nbsp; It is filled with some fantastic antiques and has the most amazing wrap-around porch that I hope to emulate one day! The porch even includes a deck area large enough to put out some tables and chairs.&nbsp; One of the things I just love about these antebellum homes are how inviting they are...from the large porches to the high ceilings and huge walkways between rooms, they all had excellent flow for entertaining.&nbsp; I imagine the people who once lived in these homes had a lot of parties.&nbsp; I also enjoyed learning about the jib windows, which are windows that open all the way up from the floor to become walkways out onto the porch.&nbsp; That way, if you are having a big party, you can open all the windows, and voila...you have 6x more doorways! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_a_-xwaWU4/T4L0MUbUHGI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/uhD4tZDvdDU/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_a_-xwaWU4/T4L0MUbUHGI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/uhD4tZDvdDU/s320/9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is Rosewood.&nbsp; The owners of this home have a vast collection of porcelain from around the world.&nbsp; I have never seen so many interesting "knick knacks", and the entire time I was touring it, I was terrified of knocking something over.&nbsp; My favorite thing about this house was the gardens.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12qQlrfeJ6M/T4L1aAprU9I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/yJJJ8GrIlgQ/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12qQlrfeJ6M/T4L1aAprU9I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/yJJJ8GrIlgQ/s320/5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This chapel was in Rosewood's garden.&nbsp; It was in disrepair somewhere up north, so they brought it down, restored it, and put it in the garden.&nbsp; They have had (very small) weddings here. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWRGLLtUuWw/T4L1dXYh6DI/AAAAAAAAA3w/GygpZaa1abQ/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWRGLLtUuWw/T4L1dXYh6DI/AAAAAAAAA3w/GygpZaa1abQ/s320/8.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside of the chapel.&nbsp; There was a Bible from the 1700s!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rDvaEEH2do/T4L1bBOKDkI/AAAAAAAAA3g/wttBIhK3Wts/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rDvaEEH2do/T4L1bBOKDkI/AAAAAAAAA3g/wttBIhK3Wts/s320/6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another picture of the gardens...love the quatrefoil fountain (it's a Phi Mu thing :)&nbsp; )</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8anRNx-H2d8/T4L1cbxaxNI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Rf22WP4AYVA/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8anRNx-H2d8/T4L1cbxaxNI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Rf22WP4AYVA/s320/7.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pavilion...really cute inside.&nbsp; It had a fan and a bunch of plants and places to sit. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;The last place we went was an old home, but the owners are still working on getting it ready to show for the Pilgrimage.&nbsp; However, they opened the beautiful garden for visitors, as well as their guest house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eORO9fkRK1Y/T4L2waWIoxI/AAAAAAAAA34/FEwBZv77-MI/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eORO9fkRK1Y/T4L2waWIoxI/AAAAAAAAA34/FEwBZv77-MI/s320/10.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this idea for a stained glass window in the guest house...it lists all the places that the previous owners had been.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbDNWvY8_sM/T4L2yNafOUI/AAAAAAAAA4A/2Qznunf1dwc/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbDNWvY8_sM/T4L2yNafOUI/AAAAAAAAA4A/2Qznunf1dwc/s320/11.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More gardens<br /><br /><div align="left"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday night I toured White Arches...I had to go alone because Chris didn't get out of training in time to join me, but, like all the others, it was pretty amazing.&nbsp; I just love the architecture of this one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dG8V1v3SaTM/T4L3OdRleVI/AAAAAAAAA4I/gTeIsRZ7XFo/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dG8V1v3SaTM/T4L3OdRleVI/AAAAAAAAA4I/gTeIsRZ7XFo/s320/3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />This Saturday, we visited a couple more homes.&nbsp; My favorite was Bryn Bella...why did I not take any pictures there?? I guess I just wasn't thinking.&nbsp; What I loved about Bryn Bella is that, whereas most of the homes we saw were considered "town homes" that the wealthy would live in part-time so that they could be closer to the social events, Bryn Bella was a true plantation home...what I imagine Tara being like in Gone With the Wind.&nbsp; The owners had a lot of beautiful antiques, as well as interesting pieces like a stuffed giraffe!! The house was surrounded by acres of beautiful land.&nbsp; My favorite part? The smokehouse out back! The owners were smoking a bunch of ham and it smelled DELICIOUS.&nbsp; Then they let us sample some of the bacon and ham.&nbsp; It was incredible!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last tour we went on was of Waverly Mansion.&nbsp; This is a local tourist attraction that is actually open daily for tours, not just for Pilgrimage.&nbsp; This home sat empty and abandoned for over 30 years while the family couldn't decide what to do with it.&nbsp; Local high school and college students would throw parties there and carve their names in the woodwork.&nbsp; When the family agreed to sell it and the new owners began to renovate it, it was filled with all kinds of wildlife that had made its home there.&nbsp; It took 27 years to bring it up to the state that is in now. A confederate general lived there with his children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM326n2i1Gs/T4L53aeCufI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/myNOYjnGUC8/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM326n2i1Gs/T4L53aeCufI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/myNOYjnGUC8/s320/14.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt a little awkward...how do you go about posing for a picture with a pretend Confederate soldier?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9aBRNUKym50/T4L6BZ9N9AI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/xWnmgIL4vZs/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9aBRNUKym50/T4L6BZ9N9AI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/xWnmgIL4vZs/s320/15.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waverly Mansion</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whew! So as you can see, we stayed pretty busy with that the last couple of weeks! And I didn't even include the homes I gave tours of.&nbsp;&nbsp; There are still plenty of homes that we didn't see.&nbsp; Hopefully we will be able to see those next year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another project that we...okay, it was pretty much all Chris...worked on last weekend was this little project for Mason.&nbsp; It's not the most beautiful thing, but it is very functional.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAmS6VLbQbI/T4L7YfSV4wI/AAAAAAAAA4g/OLak-FDSpIM/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAmS6VLbQbI/T4L7YfSV4wI/AAAAAAAAA4g/OLak-FDSpIM/s320/13.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since Chris started formal release last week, he isn't able to come home during the day to let Mason out of his crate and play with him.&nbsp; I really can't make it home on my lunch break, at least not every day.&nbsp; My office is about 20-25 minutes away so I don't have enough time.&nbsp; This is over on the side of our house.&nbsp; We put a doggie door in the screen door, pulled some of the panels off of that little gate (that is supposed to hide our trash cans, but oh well...) and put this fence from Lowe's around.&nbsp; Now we can put Mason in the kitchen and close all the doors so that Mason can have some room to spread out during the day, and when he needs to go potty, he can let himself out the dog door.&nbsp; Our neighbour says&nbsp;Mason has been enjoying sitting out in the sun during the day.&nbsp; This has been so nice because even when we are home, we don't have to constantly keep an eye on him to see if he is standing by the door to get out.&nbsp;I might eventually get around to spray painting that iron fence white so that it at least matches the other fence.&nbsp; But with it being on the side of the house (the side where we don't have any neighbors or anything)...I think it is fine.&nbsp; We do live in a rental, so we don't want to spend too much money on building fences, etc! This fence we can just pull up and take with us when we move. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Sunday, Chris and I went to church at Columbus First United Methodist for Easter, and then I cooked lunch for a group of us.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FxTiYT3h6_Y/T4N0OEmkQTI/AAAAAAAAA5w/BqZ3qc_4r5k/s640/blogger-image--1487446649.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FxTiYT3h6_Y/T4N0OEmkQTI/AAAAAAAAA5w/BqZ3qc_4r5k/s640/blogger-image--1487446649.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At church</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays...you can't help but to feel great&nbsp;on a day that is dedicated to remembering that, thanks to Jesus, we are saved from our sins...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sa7M2KPvZy0/T4L8qikgj7I/AAAAAAAAA4o/6mUOwE0mmks/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sa7M2KPvZy0/T4L8qikgj7I/AAAAAAAAA4o/6mUOwE0mmks/s320/16.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This deviled egg recipe came from a Southern Living cookbook and was the bomb!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tch0QzH1jro/T4L8s7I0nzI/AAAAAAAAA44/O7yokiP6h-c/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tch0QzH1jro/T4L8s7I0nzI/AAAAAAAAA44/O7yokiP6h-c/s320/17.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris doing the honor of cutting the ham</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1L29-wpCzc/T4L8thhHKjI/AAAAAAAAA5A/xPF9H3bnecw/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1L29-wpCzc/T4L8thhHKjI/AAAAAAAAA5A/xPF9H3bnecw/s320/18.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broccoli and cauliflower casserole and squash boats...and Hawaiian rolls, yum!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/---8y-beWbqc/T4L8uoSoqnI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Wq--hIht7OE/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/---8y-beWbqc/T4L8uoSoqnI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Wq--hIht7OE/s320/19.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After lunch we dyed eggs :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZwiZtffDeM/T4L8vl6plvI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/cPVNZWXKFA0/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZwiZtffDeM/T4L8vl6plvI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/cPVNZWXKFA0/s320/20.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our neighbor Jaime is taking care of a litter of kittens for the humane society.&nbsp; Here is one...isn't she cute??</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuLjKET5RmA/T4L8rX3NxBI/AAAAAAAAA4w/a7cJQjpiNVg/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuLjKET5RmA/T4L8rX3NxBI/AAAAAAAAA4w/a7cJQjpiNVg/s320/21.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUSSLDnD_vY/T4L8wuVwdAI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/PdOYINTZDyc/s1600/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUSSLDnD_vY/T4L8wuVwdAI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/PdOYINTZDyc/s320/22.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitten love Mason...she wanted to sit on his back and bury her head in his fur.&nbsp; She was purring the whole time.&nbsp; It was so cute!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-irx5lTaADX8/T4L80OYXOeI/AAAAAAAAA5g/kMEoGWCFZik/s1600/23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-irx5lTaADX8/T4L80OYXOeI/AAAAAAAAA5g/kMEoGWCFZik/s320/23.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason liked playing with the kitten, too...<br /><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I worked in Birmingham last week and wanted to share this picture from The Club restaurant where I went one night with some of my coworkers.&nbsp; Pretty fantastic view of Birmingham! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_b8TKIgTVI/T4MCHCfeb_I/AAAAAAAAA5o/qUn3Ks-HO_s/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_b8TKIgTVI/T4MCHCfeb_I/AAAAAAAAA5o/qUn3Ks-HO_s/s320/12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think Chris and I would love being members of something like The Club one day.&nbsp; No golf, no pool...just a bunch of private restaurants with an awesome view! The menu changes regularly so you would never get bored.&nbsp; And the food was just flat-out fantastic.&nbsp; There were also a bunch of specials...the night we went, they had 1/2 price bottles of wine and free dessert.&nbsp; They have&nbsp;a range of restaurants that vary from more casual to very formal.&nbsp; So you have an option for any type of occasion! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that Chris is on formal release, his schedule&nbsp;is very hectic.&nbsp; He didn't get home until 8:30 Friday night...I was so sad! I know I will just have to get used to it though.&nbsp; He won't be on formal release for the rest of pilot training, but we don't know exactly how much longer he will be on it.&nbsp; He got to fly twice last week.&nbsp; The first time, he got bad motion sickness.&nbsp; These planes are a lot faster than the ones he has flown on before and the center of gravity is in the back of the plane so that makes a difference.&nbsp; When you get bad motion sickness, you have to go to the doctor to get medicine, then you have to fly every day until your body adjusts to it.&nbsp; Chris did not get motion sickness on his second flight.&nbsp; However, a bunch of the guys are still getting motion sickness, so they get priority and actually wound up taking some of his other flights after he stopped getting sick.&nbsp; Also, the weather did not cooperate with him every day.&nbsp; So he is a little disappointed that he only got to fly twice last week when others got to fly as many as four times.&nbsp; However, I'm sure he will eventually make up for it.&nbsp; He got out of training around 9 most days last week.&nbsp; This morning he went in around 6 so he should be home around 6 tonight. Last week he was able to practice maneuvers such as barrel rolls and loops. His first flight involved flying through clouds as well. This week he will practice his landings. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M0NCVxEf1fk/T4N1mCCDTyI/AAAAAAAAA6I/w-P7wMgZk3I/s640/blogger-image-534215655.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M0NCVxEf1fk/T4N1mCCDTyI/AAAAAAAAA6I/w-P7wMgZk3I/s640/blogger-image-534215655.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suiting up for his first flight</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tNJ73WSBFlI/T4N1pWMHZuI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/oK8Zd6xb5Yk/s640/blogger-image--624578352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tNJ73WSBFlI/T4N1pWMHZuI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/oK8Zd6xb5Yk/s640/blogger-image--624578352.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PTPupYH7ML4/T4N1nkBFgqI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/t4HvJmyaK1Q/s640/blogger-image--1993142668.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PTPupYH7ML4/T4N1nkBFgqI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/t4HvJmyaK1Q/s640/blogger-image--1993142668.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YhH71vi51Vc/T4N1jd3sK8I/AAAAAAAAA6A/CAs4hM35pho/s640/blogger-image-875288843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YhH71vi51Vc/T4N1jd3sK8I/AAAAAAAAA6A/CAs4hM35pho/s640/blogger-image-875288843.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for takeoff...that's the IP (Instructor Pilot) in the back.&nbsp; Eventually, Chris will be doing flights alone. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't believe it, but today is our 9 month anniversary! This year is FLYING by.&nbsp; Before we know it, we will be hitting the one-year mark, and will no longer be considered "Newlyweds!" That is so hard to believe.&nbsp; The past nine months have been filled with nothing but good times.&nbsp; I'm sure we have hit a few rough spots. but I can't even think of any off the top of my head.&nbsp; We have definitely been living in newlywed bliss! I'm sure pilot training will bring on a whole slew of new stressers.&nbsp; I'm confident that we will be able to handle them gracefully.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks so much for reading! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FxTiYT3h6_Y/T4N0OEmkQTI/AAAAAAAAA5w/BqZ3qc_4r5k/s640/blogger-image--1487446649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TFePUTzvZ24/T4N1AcyNueI/AAAAAAAAA54/7l76ev_DTM4/s640/blogger-image--530892859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TFePUTzvZ24/T4N1AcyNueI/AAAAAAAAA54/7l76ev_DTM4/s640/blogger-image--530892859.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dubs and Mason...BFF!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YhH71vi51Vc/T4N1jd3sK8I/AAAAAAAAA6A/CAs4hM35pho/s640/blogger-image-875288843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M0NCVxEf1fk/T4N1mCCDTyI/AAAAAAAAA6I/w-P7wMgZk3I/s640/blogger-image-534215655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PTPupYH7ML4/T4N1nkBFgqI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/t4HvJmyaK1Q/s640/blogger-image--1993142668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tNJ73WSBFlI/T4N1pWMHZuI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/oK8Zd6xb5Yk/s640/blogger-image--624578352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4GPvPzWADVo/T4N2YmP9b2I/AAAAAAAAA6g/EVp4c-Qp0eA/s640/blogger-image--462154709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-78943928790069612712012-04-06T12:17:00.000-05:002012-04-06T12:18:56.963-05:00Friday Favs!Can you spell T-G-I-F?? What a crazy week...for me, spent in Birmingham working.&nbsp; Now that I'm back home, I think I'll hold off on blogging until the beginning of next week so that I can show off all of the pictures I have from Pilgrimage (this is the last weekend, so we are going to spend the day tomorrow touring.&nbsp; Tonight is the champagne and dessert party, YUM!!)<br /><br />I would like to share with you my weekly favs...here we go!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Favorite Product Discovery: Item 13 Candles</strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">﻿On Saturday, Chris and I went to the Artisans' Alley, i.e. crafts/homemade goods show for the Pilgrimage and&nbsp; discovered the most unique and fantastic smelling candles that are made right here in Columbus! They are called Item 13 candles.&nbsp; You can check them out at <a href="http://www.item13.com/">http://www.item13.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had encountered these candles a couple of times...first, at J. Broussards, where the candles are exclusively made for them by Item 13.&nbsp; Then, at the place where I got my massage (Bella Derma).&nbsp; I walked in the door and immediatly asked the receptionist what that smell was and if I could buy it! She told me where they were set up in the store, but then I filled out my paperwork and got my massage and forgot all about it.&nbsp; It all came back to me when the owner, Christopher McDill, was at the Artisans' Alley with a whole table full of tons of various (and <em>very</em> unique) scents.&nbsp; We didn't have any cash to purchase directly from him there, so we went to Bella Derma and purchased White Tea and Ginger and one other scent that I don't remember right this second.&nbsp; Check out the cute jars they come in...just great!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0libfAgMjw/T38dQQGr3nI/AAAAAAAAA2g/l4JgPiFau_4/s1600/candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0libfAgMjw/T38dQQGr3nI/AAAAAAAAA2g/l4JgPiFau_4/s400/candle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>Favorite Columbus Discovery of the Week: Cafe Quartier Latin</strong></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">We grabbed lunch on Saturday at this adorable place that we had never even seen before...called Cafe Quartier Latin.&nbsp; It intrigued us from the outside because it was a little old house with all these Christmas lights around it ..and mainly just because we hadn't seen it before and thought it would be fun to try something new.&nbsp; </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">We found out that, although this coffee shop definitely has a french theme (Eiffel towers, etc.), it is owned by the same people who own one of Columbus' most popular Mexican restaurants, Tampico Bay.&nbsp; (Haven't been there yet, but we are going to have to try it now.) There was no Mexican food on the menu...there were several delicious looking sandwhiches. I got a sandwhich with 3 types of cheeses and tomatoes on it.&nbsp; Chris got the most popular sandwhich (wish I remembered the name, but it had a couple of different meats on it).&nbsp; Also, you get some kind of special homemade sauce on the side that was just the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. I know, I know...should have written down the details if I was going to write about it.&nbsp; I'm learning!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Here is the kicker...they steam their sandwhiches there...JUST LIKE MOMMA G'S!!! I was ECSTATIC! For those of you who don't know what Momma Goldberg's is, you will soon because it is now a rapidly expanding franchise. In fact, one is popping up just two blocks down from my office in downtown Birmingham.&nbsp; Momma G's has been an Auburn landmark for over 30 years.&nbsp; Everything on their menu has a special Momma G's twist, and one of the most unique things about their sandwhiches is that they steam them. It makes the bread and everything inside soft, chewy...just YUM! So that's enough about Momma G's.&nbsp; I am just so thrilled that I can get my steamed sandwhich fix now in Columbus! Yay!&nbsp; I wonder if they would steam some Momma G's style nachos for me if I brought over some Doritos and pepper jack cheese...man, I miss those!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Here is a picture of the restaurant...you can't see much, but you get the general idea. SO cute, and cozy.&nbsp; I'm sure the students from a couple of blocks away at the W just love going there to study!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GKisBUhxkc/T38h83w0G9I/AAAAAAAAA2o/hQJKgDV3NxI/s1600/cafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GKisBUhxkc/T38h83w0G9I/AAAAAAAAA2o/hQJKgDV3NxI/s400/cafe.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />I'm pretty excited that this is practically across the street from my Columbus office.&nbsp; I might have to go over there one tired afternoon and try the coffee. <br /><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>Recipe of the Week</strong>﻿: <strong>Black Bean Burgers</strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">I mentioned this last week, but we tried them again last weekend and they were even better because&nbsp;I made some adjustments to the recipe.&nbsp; Here is the one I started out with...</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/black-bean-burgers-recipe/index.html">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/black-bean-burgers-recipe/index.html</a></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">I know some of you may turn up your nose at the idea of a burger made with beans.&nbsp; Trust me...they are delicious! I would encourage you to break out of the box and try someting new if you are afraid of a black bean burger.&nbsp; First of all...know that while they <em>look</em> like hamburger patties...they really don't taste like them! So you can't compare them.&nbsp; They are so much cheaper than buying meat.&nbsp; I estimate that the six we made cost about $3-4, esspecially since most of it we have on hand. (This is just for the meat, not the toppings).</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Notes: ﻿I would suggest draining one can of beans in an actual strainer and rinsing them with water, not just using the top of the can to strain out excess liquid.&nbsp; This made the burgers a lot better the second time around.&nbsp; The second can of beans, I just used used the top of the can to strain.&nbsp; I think the liquid that the beans are in is pretty flavorful so I didn't want to rinse all of it out.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Also...I kept adding bread crumbs until the "meat" was about the same consistency as hamburger meat.&nbsp; This made them easier to grill. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">We put this "healthy onion ring" recipe on the burgers...this was a delicious recipe, and we will definitely be making it again! I think I have mentioned before that I am DONE frying, at least until I take a cooking class to learn how.&nbsp; I have failed miserably at most my attempts to fry.&nbsp; Good thing baking is so much healthier, anyway.&nbsp; I didn't notice anything less delicious about these onion rings just because they were baked rather than fried. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/oven_baked_onion_rings.html">http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/oven_baked_onion_rings.html</a></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Here is a pic of the delicious burger (complete with baked sweet potato fries)...</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JsNdaCYEN9U/T38iCBMP8jI/AAAAAAAAA2w/bre6K4XITAA/s1600/burger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JsNdaCYEN9U/T38iCBMP8jI/AAAAAAAAA2w/bre6K4XITAA/s400/burger.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, that's it for now! I will update the blog with the "life events" on Monday or Tuesday next week.&nbsp; Thanks for reading!</div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-28103481384488900642012-03-30T14:53:00.001-05:002012-03-30T14:53:27.725-05:00fRiDaY FaVs!TGIF!!! Everyone, this is my first attempt at making the blog revolve another topic besides just ourselves! A fantastic topic, indeed, but maybe not of as much interest to everyone else as it is to us! :)<br /><br />We are&nbsp;aways trying new things, and sometimes I just can't resist passing them along so that others can enjoy them as much as we do.&nbsp; Sometimes I just stumble upon something really nifty and think others would find&nbsp;it useful!&nbsp;A lot of these are probably going to be recipes.&nbsp; This week I'm going to list several things...this post will be a long one!...&nbsp;because it's my first try at this and I have had a lot of ideas of things I'd like to share.&nbsp;&nbsp;I will probably stick to just one or two things most weeks going forward. Most of these are not my own ideas, so I'm going to try to always put links to the original source!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Recipe of the Week: Mexican Restaurant Queso Blanco</strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know I have got some Laredo's lovers out there and it has been very hard moving to Columbus and not having access to their incredible cheese dip!! I discovered this recipe online and had to give it a try...it's true.&nbsp; It really does taste just like the dip in the restaurant.&nbsp; Maybe even better! I'm not kidding!! And it was SO easy.&nbsp; I threw this together in about 10 minutes...in the microwave!...&nbsp;before having Jon and Autumn over for dinner the other night. Piece of cake.&nbsp; Probably cost about $4 for the whole recipe and there was enough to last for more than one meal.&nbsp; ﻿</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="White_Queso_Dip_2" class="aligncenter" height="320" jquery17101704681059772865="1" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6696646531_3d25963c1c.jpg" width="211" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is the site with the recipe: <a href="http://penniesonaplatter.com/2011/11/30/queso-blanco-dip-the-second-and-final-attempt/">http://penniesonaplatter.com/2011/11/30/queso-blanco-dip-the-second-and-final-attempt/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The recipe suggests using Land 'O Lakes cheese, but I actually just used a block of Kraft White American cheese <em>slices﻿, </em>which were just one pound as opposed to the 1.25 pounds suggested by the recipe, but it turned out fine and I suspect the cheese slices were easier to melt than the block of cheese would have been. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Date Idea of the Week: Fondue night!</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was a tough one between a picnic and a fondue night, but I figure most people already know how to go on a picnic. ﻿You don't have to have a fondue pot to do fondue...but if you are going to cook meat in it, I would say it is a necessity.&nbsp; I would definitely recommend this one, which is what we have: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CFO-3SS-Electric-Fondue-Maker/dp/B00018RR48">http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CFO-3SS-Electric-Fondue-Maker/dp/B00018RR48</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is a common misconception that fondue is a huge mess and not worth the trouble.&nbsp; Actually, I do not find it to be any messier than most other recipes I make.&nbsp; You have to chop up a bunch of veggies and meat...all that requires is a knife and a cutting board.&nbsp; You also have to make the fondue, but really all you need for that is a saucepan (if making it on the stove and transferring it to the fondue pot)...many recipes are even made direcly in the pot.&nbsp; Our pot has a nonstick surface, and it comes apart from the chord, so it's easy to clean.&nbsp; It's really the easiest thing in the world, so don't let it scare you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As you can see in the below pictures from last weekend (yesterday's post), we do both cheese fondue and the "coq au vin" fondue, which is what we cook our meat in.&nbsp; You can be really creative with your dippers, which is why I love it so much. For the cheese fondue, we have found that some of the best dippers are brocoli, artichokes, bread, and tomatoes.&nbsp; We have also dipped celery, but have found it doesn't soften enough.&nbsp; You can try with just about anything you would think is good with cheese, which is...well, just about anything.&nbsp; Here is the recipe we used the other night..it was very good and came off The Melting Pot blog:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://fonduefanatics.com/chefs-corner/recipes/">http://fonduefanatics.com/chefs-corner/recipes/</a>&nbsp; &lt;-- Scroll down to the "Irish Aged Cheddar Cheese Fondue".&nbsp; This recipe was perfect for us last weekend because we had so much Guinness left over from the St. Patty's party.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have also used this recipe, and it was quite good as well: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Creamy-Veggie-Fondue/Detail.aspx">http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Creamy-Veggie-Fondue/Detail.aspx</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used these recipes because they didn't call for any unique (i.e. expensive) cheeses.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The past few times we have done fondue, we have used the following recipe to cook our meat in.&nbsp; I like it because I have found that I normally already have all the ingredients on hand (except for the mushrooms): </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.grouprecipes.com/42405/melting-pot-coq-au-vin-fondue.html">http://www.grouprecipes.com/42405/melting-pot-coq-au-vin-fondue.html</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I make the coq au vin in a sauce pan and then transfer it to the fondue pot to simmer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We have cooked chicken, steak (recommend filet mignon...it makes a huge difference.&nbsp; When we make fondue, I ask the butcher at the store to seperate a package of filets into just a single, because we usually have some other meat dippers on hand and we don't want anything to go to waste), and tuna filets in the coq au vin and all have turned out well.&nbsp; I'd like to try shrimp, too.&nbsp; The steak and tuna, if you try it, can be cooked to your preference, but make sure you let the chicken cook several minutes.&nbsp; The vegetables that we&nbsp;have cooked&nbsp;with our meats are cauliflower, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms.&nbsp; We tried new potatoes with it last week, but if I would have researched it, I would have found out that it is best to <em>steam</em> the potatoes before using them with the fondue.&nbsp; They just weren't able to cook enough by dipping them in the coq au vin alone to make them mushy and flavorful. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Why do I think this is such a fantastic date night?? Maybe because Chris and I eat in front of the TV most nights, but when we "fondue", we actually sit down at the table and talk for hours.&nbsp; It takes a long time to do the fondue because you have to cook everything individually.&nbsp; It's kind of like a meal and entertainment, all in one. It's very romantic and fun.&nbsp; It's fun to try different combinations of veggies and meat.&nbsp; If you have ever been to the Melting Pot (highly recommend if you haven't!), you know what a great date night that is...and how expensive it is! Fondue night allows you to have a similar experience for a fraction of the cost.&nbsp; Yes, you have to do the work yourself, which I suppose makes it less relaxing.&nbsp; But I would highly recommend either investing in a fondue pot or borrowing one and giving this date night a shot! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Favorite Decor Idea of the Week: Hanging Plates</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20FIiUc9QGE/T3YKcxqjmVI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/dG2UcIMuRXU/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20FIiUc9QGE/T3YKcxqjmVI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/dG2UcIMuRXU/s320/16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">I tried this simple decorating idea last weekend and just love how it turned out! My mom and I found the plates I used at various antique stores.&nbsp; You can find the plate hangers just about everywhere for around $1-2.&nbsp; You could use any color plate to match your color scheme!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some more pictures that I found online:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://interiordec.about.com/library/graphics/57/hangplate019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="215" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is kind of the model I used, since the color scheme of our kitchen is yellow and blue.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://cdn.homedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wall-plates1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="224" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wouldn't this be fun to do! Esspecially if you collected plates from special places you had been, or as gifts, etc...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">﻿&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Craft of the Week: Doiley Candle Holders</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OAxeFrFKvn8/T3YKTO__k3I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/pOlYuYctjyk/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OAxeFrFKvn8/T3YKTO__k3I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/pOlYuYctjyk/s320/15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">If I were you, I would not expect a "craft of the week" every week...but this week, I actually got around to this idea that I saw at some point or another on Pinterest.&nbsp; It was SO easy! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1.) Purchase some doileys at an antique store, or at my case, at Michaels.&nbsp; I bought mine in Easter colors, but of course you could do them any color!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2.) Blow up some balloons to be the right size for you to fit the doileys over them and be the shape that you want once they are finished.&nbsp; I rested the balloons on top of some pub glasses to keep them from rolling around. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3.)Heat up 3/4 cups of sugar and 1/4 cup of water over medium-high heat in a saucepan and stir until the mixture looks uniform, but don't boil.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4.)&nbsp;Dip the doileys in the mixture and get them entirely drenched.&nbsp;Squeeze out the excess.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5.)&nbsp;Drape the doileys over the balloons and let them dry...it takes only a few hours.&nbsp; Then they will be solid! So just pop the balloon and they are ready to go!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The only adjustment I would make to this is&nbsp;because you have to mash down the bottom once they are dry to make&nbsp;make them&nbsp;stand up straight, since they are curved on the bottom from drying over the balloon.&nbsp; Chris and I were thinking that if I had <em>not</em> soaked the centers of the doiley in the sugar mixture, and the centers had not have dried stiff, they would have rested flat on the surface I sat them on.&nbsp; Hope that makes sense! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now I would stop reading now if you are short on time, because the rest of this post is PRETTY long! </div><div style="text-align: center;">﻿</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>iPhone Apps of the Week...no, Month...no, Year:</strong>﻿ <strong>Cozi &amp; Food on the Table</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; <img height="220" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/quarkbase_test.com/cozi.com-logo.png" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;" width="320" />﻿Sorry, but this logo image is not wanting to cooperate with my trying to make it smaller!</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you and your husband/wife/child/boyfriend/roommate are having a difficult time coordinating your schedule and keeping everything in one, simple, organized spot...you HAVE GOT to dowload this app! If you don't have an iPhone, you can still use this online.&nbsp; I bet you can get it on other smartphones as well.&nbsp; Here is the site: <a href="http://www.cozi.com/">http://www.cozi.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What do I love about Cozi? First of all, the calendar function lets Chris and&nbsp;me organize our calendars from our phones...and we can look at either the "Amanda" calendar, the "Chris" calendar, or the "All" calendar.&nbsp; We could even make a calendar for Mason if we wanted to.&nbsp; So now, when I'm trying to plan something, I can look at the calendar and see if Chris has a test the next day or something.&nbsp; I might decide to plan whatever it is&nbsp;for a different night in that case.&nbsp;There is a text bar at the type of the calendar where you could type something like "Amanda has yoga at 5:30pm every Wednesday"...it will automatically put yoga on the calendar at 5:30 every Wednesday indefinitely.&nbsp; No more having to go to a certain day on my iPhone calendar and tediously type in every bit of information...I can just type it in conversational format! Another example would be "Concert on April 21 at the park ampitheatre"...in this case, it would default to the "All" calendar and to an "All Day" event...and even fill in the location for me.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cozi also keeps all of your shopping lists together.&nbsp; So now, when I go to the store, I have a list that I can "check" off, that Chris is able to add/delete items on as well.&nbsp; So if he goes to the store and picks up&nbsp; everything on the list and doesn't tell me, we won't wind up with two of everything.&nbsp; And if I go to the store and he has special requests that he forgot to tell me, there's no having to make a second trip. He can add the items to the list from&nbsp;his phone.&nbsp; The shopping lists also have the Amanda/Chris/All distinctions. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My final favorite feature (there are even more features that I don't use) is the To-Do List function.&nbsp; This works the same as the grocery list, and is convenient so that both of us are clear on what we each want to accomplish during the week or weekend. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The next app I want to share is the Food on the Table app: <a href="http://www.foodonthetable.com/">http://www.foodonthetable.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can also use the website-version of this if you don't have a smartphone.&nbsp; I have already saved a good bit of money using this.&nbsp; I know there is a monthly premium membership where you have to pay, but I was able to get mine for free with the code MARFREE, which I would guess will continue working through tomorrow.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The app allows you to choose the grocery stores you shop at, and your meal preferences (meat? fish? vegetarian? low fat? low carb?).&nbsp; Then it produces lists of recipes, all rated by other users and marked if they contain items that are on sale at the store you shop at.&nbsp; You can click through the recipes, and add them to your recipes for the week.&nbsp; From those, it gives you a grocery list.&nbsp; I scan the list, mark off items I already have...and in my case, I add the items I need to buy to my Cozi list, but you could also use the list on the app if you would rather, or just print it out.&nbsp; The site focuses on EASY, CHEAP meals! I like to cook&nbsp;unique meals out of my&nbsp;cookbooks pretty regularly...but some nights, you just need to...well, put "Food on the Table" and you need to do it efficiently! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Best Coupon Websites of All Time</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">People are always asking me when I am going to teach them to coupon.&nbsp; I will be happy to give lessons on this subject any day of the week because I love couponing! Right now my stockpile is pretty low, because unfortunately, the grocery stores around here are not the best couponing grocery stores.&nbsp; I haven't been to Birmingham the past few weeks, but I always do some major grocery shopping when I go because the best of the best place to coupon is Publix.&nbsp; My Phi Mu big sis, Sybil, taught me how to coupon at Publix two whole years ago, and I have been getting 70%+ off of groceries ever since! You really don't even need a lesson if you just go to this website:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="137" src="http://www.iheartpublix.com/wp-content/themes/lifestyle_30/images/button.jpg" style="height: 100%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%;" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.iheartpublix.com/">http://www.iheartpublix.com/</a> ﻿</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img height="125" src="http://www.iheartpublix.com/wp-content/themes/lifestyle_30/images/button.jpg" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;" width="125" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once again, sorry about the huge image, but this website really&nbsp;deserves one!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you go to iheartpublix, you will find a complete set of instructions on how to coupon in general, and how to coupon at Publix.&nbsp; If you live in Columbus, I would suggest keeping up with this page so that when you drive through Tuscaloosa, you can hit the Publix there.&nbsp; The Publix in Tuscaloosa takes Target coupons, a huge advantage! Only some of the Birmingham Publix's (Publixes?) take Target coupons and not all of them double.&nbsp; If you live in Atlanta, you will find that you can use just about any competitor coupon, <em>and</em> that they double.&nbsp; Unfortunately, most Florida stores neither double OR offer the 1/2 off BOGO (more on that later).&nbsp; Auburn Publix does not take Target coupons, but they do double.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am going to give a brief "how to" on couponing, but I would encourage you to visit this website if you want to know more.&nbsp; This is how I do it:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1.) Collect coupons everywhere you can and keep them organized.&nbsp; Get a file, organized by section of the grocery store, where you will keep any coupons that you peel off of items at the store (morally acceptable according to iheartpublix.com), take from "blinkies", "tearpads", or free samples, etc.&nbsp; This makes it easy to find the right coupon while you are at the store.&nbsp; I also organize mine by expiration date, so&nbsp;that when they expire, you can&nbsp;throw them away (OR send them to overseas military&nbsp;families, who can use them up to 6 months after expiration.&nbsp; For more, see <a href="http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/">http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp; IMPORTANT: If you decide to collect Sunday paper coupons and clip all of them, you will get burned out quickly! I suggest using the "insert method".&nbsp; Keep the entire insert together, make a list (if you want) of what it contains along with the last expiration date in the insert so you know when you can toss it, and file it away.&nbsp; If you use iheartpublix, or any other similar couponing website, they will tell you exactly what insert to go to if you need a coupon.&nbsp; To decide if you even want to buy a paper, you can use <a href="http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/">http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/</a>, but be advised that not all cities have the best coupons...always buy the paper for the biggest city you have access to! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2.) Every Monday, go to iheartpublix.com around 10am and she will give you a preview of everything on sale for the week.&nbsp; She tells you EXACTLY where to get the coupons.&nbsp; If it's a printable, she will give you the link.&nbsp; If it's a Sunday paper coupon, she will tell you exactly what week and which insert you will find it in. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3.) Plan, plan, plan your trip! Make a grocery list with expected prices that you will pay before and after the coupons, so you will know if some of your coupons aren't scanned correctly.&nbsp; Keep in mind that sales tax is added <em>before</em> the price of the coupon comes off.&nbsp; Therefore, if an item is $1, and tax is 8%, and you have a $1 coupon, you will still pay the $.08 in tax.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>The beauty of couponing at Publix </em>(and the reason that it is the <em>best </em>place to coupon) is BOGO! At most&nbsp;stores, the "Buy One Get One" really means "Buy each at 1/2 off".&nbsp;(The exception is Florida...there, the first item is full price and the second is actually free.&nbsp; Therefore, to get the bet deal, you would need to purchase and have coupons for both items.)&nbsp;Most Publixes (Publix's?) double coupons up to $.50 <em>and</em> accept one store coupon and one manufacturers coupon per item.&nbsp; Publix puts out tons of store coupons, and as mentioned before, accepts competitor coupons as store coupons! So consider this scenario:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Barber's Chicken Breast, normally $6.99, this week on BOGO.&nbsp; I have&nbsp;a $.50 off 1 ($.50/1) coupon that I got out of my All You magazine (another great source for coupons)...it will double to $1.&nbsp; I also have a $1/1 coupon from a Publix flyer, available at the store.&nbsp; I am going to buy this chicken for $1.50 ($7.99/2 -1 - 1)...that is over 75% off! There are deals like this <em>every week</em> at Publix.&nbsp; It will take you a while to build up a stockpile of coupons.&nbsp; Once you get there, you will be set.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Many people don't want to try couponing because they think it is too time consuming.&nbsp; Couponing takes me a maximum of about 45 mins a week.&nbsp; When I go to the grocery store, I will typically save $50+.&nbsp; $50 for less than an hour of work is WAY more than I get paid at my job, so I would say it is worth my time!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some people also say that with couponing, you tend to buy things you don't need.&nbsp; Dang right I buy things I don't need...at the moment! Successful couponing requires you to build a "stockpile" of food, so that you can have enough to last you until the next great deal comes around.&nbsp; I also buy things that I don't need at the moment, but I think may come in handy when I make a certain recipe.&nbsp; I buy chips to save for a tailgate, pickles to save for a week when hamburger meat goes on sale, or bread crumbs for when it's time to try a new recipe that calls for them.&nbsp; I don't build a stockpile of Zebra Cakes because we don't eat those ever.&nbsp; I love buying frozen or canned items that will last a long time, until I'm ready to eat them.&nbsp; You don't need to be a crazy hoarder like the people on Extreme Couponers and make an extra room in your house for coupons and stockpiles, but you should try to keep your pantry full!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow, I just said A LOT about couponing! Hopefully I've convinced you that it's worth your time and effort, because it really is easy once you get the hang of it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Military Couponers:</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thehappyhousewife.com/real-life/category/journal/military/military-commissary-deals/">http://thehappyhousewife.com/real-life/category/journal/military/military-commissary-deals/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lists coupon matchups for the commissary.&nbsp; The commissary is a little harder to coupon at because they have a more limited selection and don't discount things steeply from their regular price...<em>but...</em> the commissary has the lowest prices every day, so you are still saving a lot, even if it doesn't show on your receipt.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://commissarycoupons.blogspot.com/p/whats-on-sale.html">http://commissarycoupons.blogspot.com/p/whats-on-sale.html</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Great list of resources for couponing at your commissary</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whew, alright I think that's all! This really wasn't just a weekly "Friday Favs" post, it was a "My favorite things through the years until this Friday" post.&nbsp; If I keep doing it, the others will be shorter, promise!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for reading!</div>Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986472884672866241.post-2223894911629923592012-03-29T16:43:00.003-05:002012-03-30T16:24:15.234-05:00A Toast to the Future...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iN36CSW7CKk/T3TVYbMKa6I/AAAAAAAAA2A/37nFKnN3tPQ/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iN36CSW7CKk/T3TVYbMKa6I/AAAAAAAAA2A/37nFKnN3tPQ/s320/13.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />Ahhh...another week has come and has almost gone...this week carried some news with it that required a little celebration.&nbsp; I can't resist a good chance to build suspense and&nbsp;I just can't share this news with the blog world yet.&nbsp; Keep reading over the next several months and eventually I will have to spill it.&nbsp; All I'm going to say is...it's NOT a baby!!! Wanted to make that clear!<br /><br />This weekend was a relaxing one and was far too short! Saturday morning was spent doing taxes...yuck! Taxes are no fun, esspecially when you owe them&nbsp;instead of getting the nifty refund that lots of people get!&nbsp; Of course they say it is more fiscally responsible to <em>pay</em> taxes in April because that means that you have been earning interest on your money all year instead of giving it to the government to earn interest on, just so you can get a refund (with no interest).&nbsp; That doesn't make writing checks to the government any more fun...even as a lisence-pending CPA, taxes make me so paranoid that I will leave something out, so hopefully we won't get any "screw-up" letters from the IRS!<br /><br />To blow off some steam after that miserable task, Chris and I went out to the CAFB lake for a picnic.&nbsp; I made guacamole bacon grilled cheese sandwhiches and homemade hummus and we brought a bottle of wine out and played with Mason.&nbsp; I am just loving this weather!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ey8Niy-zlYU/T3TVIWrSIHI/AAAAAAAAA0o/8WAwomRU_GA/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ey8Niy-zlYU/T3TVIWrSIHI/AAAAAAAAA0o/8WAwomRU_GA/s320/2.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complete with homemade bread :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5NizJ1bLR8/T3TVGQj6aKI/AAAAAAAAA0g/ThgQU0_5HDM/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5NizJ1bLR8/T3TVGQj6aKI/AAAAAAAAA0g/ThgQU0_5HDM/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARKZRZ65sQ4/T3TVKrmEuwI/AAAAAAAAA0w/jBrv7Im11CQ/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARKZRZ65sQ4/T3TVKrmEuwI/AAAAAAAAA0w/jBrv7Im11CQ/s320/3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />Saturday night was fondue night...I had been meaning to bust out the fondue set again, and I figured that the rare weekend spent at home with no big events planned was the perfect weekend for it.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hx3SWetTJbU/T3TVMxKrJLI/AAAAAAAAA1A/r_UaYBlViys/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hx3SWetTJbU/T3TVMxKrJLI/AAAAAAAAA1A/r_UaYBlViys/s320/5.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfXSQXQ1DIE/T3TVL0CUI1I/AAAAAAAAA04/3_q4s2qCbFI/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfXSQXQ1DIE/T3TVL0CUI1I/AAAAAAAAA04/3_q4s2qCbFI/s320/4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />Chris had some studying to do on Monday, so I kept myself busy by making some Easter candle-holders out of doileys, doing a little decorating in the kitchen and around the house, and some other things on my list.&nbsp; For lunch we made black bean burgers and they were delicious! For those of you who like to save money and who aren't scared of veggie substitutes, I would highly recommend this.&nbsp; Black bean burgers don't necessarily taste like hamburgers, but they are low fat and very delicious! And get this...6 black bean burgers cost about $1.50.&nbsp; I'm pretty sure you would be lucky to make&nbsp;6 hamburgers for $5.&nbsp; We put the leftover guacamole from the picnic along with some white cheddar cheese on them and they were dee-lish.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46-ywSLkJ9A/T3TVNywmZEI/AAAAAAAAA1I/8gJ1vq5F5bo/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46-ywSLkJ9A/T3TVNywmZEI/AAAAAAAAA1I/8gJ1vq5F5bo/s320/6.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />Monday we had Jon and Autumn over for dinner.&nbsp; Autumn left Tuesday to go to Washington for a couple of weeks for a wedding so it was nice to catch up before she headed out.&nbsp; Tuesday we returned to Little Tokyo and it was my turn to take a picture with the sushi "Love Boat".<br /><br /><br />﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-_kHVlD39o/T3WxD75rDiI/AAAAAAAAA2I/7eXYQCkTCJA/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-_kHVlD39o/T3WxD75rDiI/AAAAAAAAA2I/7eXYQCkTCJA/s1600/14.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast forward many years, and I feel like this picture of me would be a pretty good&nbsp;indication of what our future teenage sons could look like...haha</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br />So, I've been doing a little updating on the blog and have decided on a couple of things.&nbsp; First of all, there is a new page that&nbsp;I'm going to add tomorrow&nbsp;with all the events going on in Columbus.&nbsp; Lately, I have had quite a few people ask me how I know everything that's going on, and it's mainly because I just look high and low to find some fun events to try.&nbsp; However, Columbus isn't the type place that you can just google "events this weekend in Columbus, MS" and come up with...well, anything! Hopefully this page will be useful to some of our friends here, to me, and to any of our friends/family who I know are looking for excuses to visit us :)<br /><br />Another thing I'm going to start doing tomorrow is something I'm going to call Friday Favs.&nbsp; I know some of my friends are laughing at what a nerd I am right now! Laugh on, but I know you will love it! I am constantly coming up with recipes, tips, products, ideas, etc that I want to share with the people I care about.&nbsp; I have gotten even more obsessed with this since a.) joining Pinterest, and b.) becoming an avid blog-reader. The problem with these venues is that on Pinterest, as much as I love it, it is hard to keep organized the things you would <em>like</em> to try, and the things you have tried.&nbsp; Beyond that, it's hard to organize the things you would recommend that you have tried, and the things you wouldn't recommend.&nbsp; Plus, not everyone has Pinterest, and it's not the best avenue to describe things in too much detail.&nbsp; <br /><br />The main problem with sharing things on this blog is that, unlike most of the blogs I read, which focus on cooking/decorating/crafting/couponing, etc, this blog isn't really about anything except for, well...us! I am not an expert enough in any field to attempt dedicating an entire blog to it, nor do I have the time.&nbsp; But I <em>do</em> have time to write reviews about the many venues I use, whether sucessfully or unsuccessfully, to spice things up and keep them interesting.&nbsp; I have been sharing these in the blog all along, but not in much detail, and I feel that they kind of "clutter" the point I am usually trying to make, which is, more or less, "here is what we did this week".&nbsp; This way, if you don't care what we do, you can just read my Friday Favs posts, and if you don't care about the Friday Favs, you can just read the normal posts.&nbsp; <br /><br />Chris passed his test on Monday with a 90 and has another one, the hardest one so far, tomorrow on weather.&nbsp; Then he is done with academics and gets to take his first flight! Everyone wish him luck and keep him in your prayers... He passed his PFT&nbsp;(Physical Fitness Test)&nbsp;yesterday and did even better on it than he did on the last one.&nbsp; Next week he begins&nbsp;FORMAL release (this is a correction...previously I ha written permanent release, but thank goodness, it's not permanent!) which means that he will be gone a mandatory twelve hours a day.&nbsp; So if he goes in at 4am, he gets off at 4pm.&nbsp; If he goes in at 9:30am he gets off at 9:30pm.&nbsp; He doesn't get to choose when he goes in, it's all on a schedule and will vary day to day.&nbsp; We hope this demanding schedule only lasts the minimum amount of time.&nbsp; The amount of time spent on&nbsp;formal release depends on how long it takes the class to meat certain qualifications. <br /><br />So there is the update! Ever since I have gotten so into reading blogs, I have been itching to try something different with ours...we will see how it goes! I'll leave you with some pics of our house all decorated for Easter. Thanks for reading!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnLY2le2MlY/T3TVPj0cTGI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/TrVhsEOuQdA/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnLY2le2MlY/T3TVPj0cTGI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/TrVhsEOuQdA/s320/7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am in the market for some Easter egg placemats...if anyone knows where I can get some, let me know!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJvFUOHUBHs/T3TVROirqZI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/RItDBoCgx9k/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJvFUOHUBHs/T3TVROirqZI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/RItDBoCgx9k/s320/8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is one of my homemade doiley candle holders.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzYDcoVZEpU/T3TVSbvI2oI/AAAAAAAAA1g/MEflX8qpbdA/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzYDcoVZEpU/T3TVSbvI2oI/AAAAAAAAA1g/MEflX8qpbdA/s320/9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OT06OgXjs7I/T3TVUtvV7II/AAAAAAAAA1o/bPF1yyaOBn0/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OT06OgXjs7I/T3TVUtvV7II/AAAAAAAAA1o/bPF1yyaOBn0/s320/10.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My other candle holders.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-01iionIRc/T3TVVjMeWeI/AAAAAAAAA1w/OznlT8GfoLQ/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-01iionIRc/T3TVVjMeWeI/AAAAAAAAA1w/OznlT8GfoLQ/s320/11.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how hard Chris is studying for his tests...wait, that's an ESPN magazine. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C0iTmLzSU3c/T3TVWorausI/AAAAAAAAA14/3KA4OVfJYTs/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C0iTmLzSU3c/T3TVWorausI/AAAAAAAAA14/3KA4OVfJYTs/s320/12.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we have light up Easter eggs!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br />Amanda Beckhttps://plus.google.com/110731050771623650091noreply@blogger.com0